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Electrical and chemical stimulation of the basolateral complex of the amygdala reinstates cocaine-seeking behavior in the rat. 2003

Robert J Hayes, and Stanislav R Vorel, and Jordan Spector, and Xinhe Liu, and Eliot L Gardner
Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.

BACKGROUND The basolateral complex of the amygdala (BLC) is part of a neural circuit that is activated in humans during cocaine craving elicited by exposure to drug-related environmental cues. In animals, the BLC is necessary for cocaine-seeking behavior elicited by cocaine-associated cues. It has not been determined whether BLC activation is sufficient to reinstate cocaine seeking. OBJECTIVE To determine whether electrical or excitatory amino-acid stimulation of the BLC is sufficient to induce reinstatement of cocaine seeking in rats. METHODS Rats were catheterized and trained to lever-press for intravenous cocaine infusions on a fixed ratio (FR)-1 schedule of reinforcement. Once baseline cocaine-taking criteria were met, lever-pressing behavior was extinguished by substitution of saline for cocaine. After meeting criteria for extinction, animals were subjected to brief electrical (20 Hz, 400 microA or 2 Hz, 400 microA; 200 pulses per stimulation) or N-methyl- d-aspartate (NMDA; 250 ng/0.5 microl) BLC stimulation and lever pressing behavior was monitored. RESULTS. Electrical BLC stimulation with 20-Hz produced reinstatement of lever pressing previously associated with cocaine self-administration, while 2-Hz stimulation did not. Electrical stimulation of cerebellar and medial forebrain bundle loci did not reinstate cocaine seeking. Hence, the reinstatement was frequency dependent and anatomically selective. NMDA microinjections into the BLC also reinstated cocaine-seeking behavior. CONCLUSIONS BLC stimulation is sufficient to reinstate cocaine-seeking behavior in the rat. These results are congruent with the hypothesis that the basolateral complex of the amygdala is part of a neural system mediating drug-seeking behavior.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D011930 Reaction Time The time from the onset of a stimulus until a response is observed. Response Latency,Response Speed,Response Time,Latency, Response,Reaction Times,Response Latencies,Response Times,Speed, Response,Speeds, Response
D003042 Cocaine An alkaloid ester extracted from the leaves of plants including coca. It is a local anesthetic and vasoconstrictor and is clinically used for that purpose, particularly in the eye, ear, nose, and throat. It also has powerful central nervous system effects similar to the amphetamines and is a drug of abuse. Cocaine, like amphetamines, acts by multiple mechanisms on brain catecholaminergic neurons; the mechanism of its reinforcing effects is thought to involve inhibition of dopamine uptake. Cocaine HCl,Cocaine Hydrochloride,HCl, Cocaine,Hydrochloride, Cocaine
D004558 Electric Stimulation Use of electric potential or currents to elicit biological responses. Stimulation, Electric,Electrical Stimulation,Electric Stimulations,Electrical Stimulations,Stimulation, Electrical,Stimulations, Electric,Stimulations, Electrical
D000679 Amygdala Almond-shaped group of basal nuclei anterior to the INFERIOR HORN OF THE LATERAL VENTRICLE of the TEMPORAL LOBE. The amygdala is part of the limbic system. Amygdaloid Body,Amygdaloid Nuclear Complex,Amygdaloid Nucleus,Archistriatum,Corpus Amygdaloideum,Intercalated Amygdaloid Nuclei,Massa Intercalata,Nucleus Amygdalae,Amygdalae, Nucleus,Amygdaloid Bodies,Amygdaloid Nuclear Complices,Amygdaloid Nuclei, Intercalated,Amygdaloid Nucleus, Intercalated,Amygdaloideum, Corpus,Amygdaloideums, Corpus,Archistriatums,Complex, Amygdaloid Nuclear,Complices, Amygdaloid Nuclear,Corpus Amygdaloideums,Intercalata, Massa,Intercalatas, Massa,Intercalated Amygdaloid Nucleus,Massa Intercalatas,Nuclear Complex, Amygdaloid,Nuclear Complices, Amygdaloid,Nuclei, Intercalated Amygdaloid,Nucleus, Amygdaloid,Nucleus, Intercalated Amygdaloid
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012646 Self Administration Administration of a drug or chemical by the individual under the direction of a physician. It includes administration clinically or experimentally, by human or animal. Administration, Self,Administrations, Self,Self Administrations
D013268 Stimulation, Chemical The increase in a measurable parameter of a PHYSIOLOGICAL PROCESS, including cellular, microbial, and plant; immunological, cardiovascular, respiratory, reproductive, urinary, digestive, neural, musculoskeletal, ocular, and skin physiological processes; or METABOLIC PROCESS, including enzymatic and other pharmacological processes, by a drug or other chemical. Chemical Stimulation,Chemical Stimulations,Stimulations, Chemical
D016202 N-Methylaspartate An amino acid that, as the D-isomer, is the defining agonist for the NMDA receptor subtype of glutamate receptors (RECEPTORS, NMDA). N-Methyl-D-aspartate,NMDA,N-Methyl-D-aspartic Acid,Acid, N-Methyl-D-aspartic,N Methyl D aspartate,N Methyl D aspartic Acid,N Methylaspartate
D016739 Behavior, Addictive The observable, measurable, and often pathological activity of an organism that portrays its inability to overcome a habit resulting in an insatiable craving for a substance or for performing certain acts. The addictive behavior includes the emotional and physical overdependence on the object of habit in increasing amount or frequency. Addictive Behavior,Addictive Behaviors,Behaviors, Addictive

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