Effects of 6-OHDA lesions in the nucleus accumbens on the acquisition of self injection of heroin under schedule and non schedule conditions in rats. 1984

G Singer, and M Wallace

Acquisition of heroin self injection is enhanced in bodyweight reduced rats if a non contingent food delivery schedule is operating (schedule-induced self injection). Dopamine depletion of the nucleus accumbens septum (NAS) reduces nicotine self injection and a number of other schedule-induced behaviours. In the present experiment 6-OHDA lesions in the NAS significantly reduced the levels of heroin self injection in 7 rats on a food delivery schedule compared with sham lesioned controls. The reduced heroin intake did not differ from that of lesioned or sham lesioned rats with no schedule present. The results confirm previous reports that intact dopaminergic neurones in the NAS are necessary for schedule-induced behaviours to occur, and demonstrate that components of the same behaviour which are not schedule-induced can continue without disruption in the presence of the lesions.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D009714 Nucleus Accumbens Collection of pleomorphic cells in the caudal part of the anterior horn of the LATERAL VENTRICLE, in the region of the OLFACTORY TUBERCLE, lying between the head of the CAUDATE NUCLEUS and the ANTERIOR PERFORATED SUBSTANCE. It is part of the so-called VENTRAL STRIATUM, a composite structure considered part of the BASAL GANGLIA. Accumbens Nucleus,Nucleus Accumbens Septi,Accumbens Septi, Nucleus,Accumbens Septus, Nucleus,Accumbens, Nucleus,Nucleus Accumbens Septus,Nucleus, Accumbens,Septi, Nucleus Accumbens,Septus, Nucleus Accumbens
D012055 Reinforcement Schedule A schedule prescribing when the subject is to be reinforced or rewarded in terms of temporal interval in psychological experiments. The schedule may be continuous or intermittent. Reinforcement Schedules,Schedule, Reinforcement,Schedules, Reinforcement
D001923 Brain Chemistry Changes in the amounts of various chemicals (neurotransmitters, receptors, enzymes, and other metabolites) specific to the area of the central nervous system contained within the head. These are monitored over time, during sensory stimulation, or under different disease states. Chemistry, Brain,Brain Chemistries,Chemistries, Brain
D003216 Conditioning, Operant Learning situations in which the sequence responses of the subject are instrumental in producing reinforcement. When the correct response occurs, which involves the selection from among a repertoire of responses, the subject is immediately reinforced. Instrumental Learning,Learning, Instrumental,Operant Conditioning,Conditionings, Operant,Instrumental Learnings,Learnings, Instrumental,Operant Conditionings
D003932 Heroin A narcotic analgesic that may be habit-forming. It is a controlled substance (opium derivative) listed in the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21 Parts 329.1, 1308.11 (1987). Sale is forbidden in the United States by Federal statute. (Merck Index, 11th ed) Diacetylmorphine,Diamorphine,Diacetylmorphine Hydrochloride,Diagesil,Diamorf,Heroin Hydrochloride,Min-I-Jet Morphine Sulphate,Hydrochloride, Diacetylmorphine,Hydrochloride, Heroin,Min I Jet Morphine Sulphate
D005453 Fluorescence The property of emitting radiation while being irradiated. The radiation emitted is usually of longer wavelength than that incident or absorbed, e.g., a substance can be irradiated with invisible radiation and emit visible light. X-ray fluorescence is used in diagnosis.
D005502 Food Substances taken in by the body to provide nourishment. Foods
D006651 Histocytochemistry Study of intracellular distribution of chemicals, reaction sites, enzymes, etc., by means of staining reactions, radioactive isotope uptake, selective metal distribution in electron microscopy, or other methods. Cytochemistry
D006892 Hydroxydopamines Dopamines with a hydroxy group substituted in one or more positions. Hydroxydopamine

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