Biomaterial Database

Nitric oxide synthesis inhibition does not affect brain stimulation reward. 1994

M A Bozarth, and C M Pudiak, and M Morris

Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Buffalo, 14260-4110.

The effect of nitric oxide synthesis inhibition on brain stimulation reward was examined. A wide range of doses of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 30-300 mg/kg IP) failed to affect frequency thresholds for brain stimulation reward. The effect of L-NAME on cocaine's facilitation of brain stimulation reward was also examined. Nitric oxide synthesis inhibition had no effect on cocaine's ability to lower reward thresholds for electrical brain stimulation. Despite reports that nitric oxide may modulate dopamine release, these data suggest that nitric oxide is not involved in the dopamine-dependent rewarding effect of electrical brain stimulation or the reward facilitation produced by cocaine's enhancement of dopaminergic activity. Because L-NAME potently decreases cerebral blood flow, its lack of effect on cocaine-enhanced brain stimulation reward has additional significance. The failure of a moderate dose of L-NAME (30 mg/kg IP) to attenuate cocaine's lowering of reward thresholds argues against pharmacokinetic explanations of L-NAME's effect on other cocaine-induced behaviors.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D009569	Nitric Oxide	A free radical gas produced endogenously by a variety of mammalian cells, synthesized from ARGININE by NITRIC OXIDE SYNTHASE. Nitric oxide is one of the ENDOTHELIUM-DEPENDENT RELAXING FACTORS released by the vascular endothelium and mediates VASODILATION. It also inhibits platelet aggregation, induces disaggregation of aggregated platelets, and inhibits platelet adhesion to the vascular endothelium. Nitric oxide activates cytosolic GUANYLATE CYCLASE and thus elevates intracellular levels of CYCLIC GMP.	Endogenous Nitrate Vasodilator,Mononitrogen Monoxide,Nitric Oxide, Endothelium-Derived,Nitrogen Monoxide,Endothelium-Derived Nitric Oxide,Monoxide, Mononitrogen,Monoxide, Nitrogen,Nitrate Vasodilator, Endogenous,Nitric Oxide, Endothelium Derived,Oxide, Nitric,Vasodilator, Endogenous Nitrate
D001921	Brain	The part of CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM that is contained within the skull (CRANIUM). Arising from the NEURAL TUBE, the embryonic brain is comprised of three major parts including PROSENCEPHALON (the forebrain); MESENCEPHALON (the midbrain); and RHOMBENCEPHALON (the hindbrain). The developed brain consists of CEREBRUM; CEREBELLUM; and other structures in the BRAIN STEM.	Encephalon
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
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
D001120	Arginine	An essential amino acid that is physiologically active in the L-form.	Arginine Hydrochloride,Arginine, L-Isomer,DL-Arginine Acetate, Monohydrate,L-Arginine,Arginine, L Isomer,DL Arginine Acetate, Monohydrate,Hydrochloride, Arginine,L Arginine,L-Isomer Arginine,Monohydrate DL-Arginine Acetate
D012201	Reward	An object or a situation that can serve to reinforce a response, to satisfy a motive, or to afford pleasure.	Rewards
D012653	Self Stimulation	The act or process of inducing or increasing the level of arousal in oneself. It can be observed in various situations; for example, infants who are understimulated may explore their surroundings or babble to themselves.(https://dictionary.apa.org/self-stimulation accessed 12/30/2020)	ICSS Intracranial Self-Stimulation,Intracranial Self Stimulation,Self-Stimulation,Intracranial Self Stimulations,Self Stimulation, Intracranial,Self Stimulations,Self Stimulations, Intracranial,Self-Stimulations,Stimulation, Self,Stimulations, Self
D051381	Rats	The common name for the genus Rattus.	Rattus,Rats, Laboratory,Rats, Norway,Rattus norvegicus,Laboratory Rat,Laboratory Rats,Norway Rat,Norway Rats,Rat,Rat, Laboratory,Rat, Norway,norvegicus, Rattus
D019331	NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester	A non-selective inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase. It has been used experimentally to induce hypertension.	L-NAME,N omega-Nitro-L-arginine Methyl Ester,NG-Nitro-L-Arginine Methyl Ester,N(G)-Nitro-L-arginine Methyl Ester,N(G)-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester,N(omega)-Nitro-L-arginine Methyl Ester,NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester, D-Orn-Isomer,NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester, L-Orn-Isomer, Monohydrochloride,Methyl Ester, NG-Nitro-L-Arginine,Methyl Ester, NG-Nitroarginine,N omega Nitro L arginine Methyl Ester,NG Nitro L Arginine Methyl Ester,NG Nitroarginine Methyl Ester,NG Nitroarginine Methyl Ester, D Orn Isomer