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Infusion of the substance P analogue, DiMe-C7, into the ventral tegmental area induces reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behaviour in rats

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Abstract

Rationale

The mesocorticolimbic dopamine (DA) system is critically involved in mediating reinstatement of drug-seeking behaviour. Substance P (SP) is a neuropeptide that significantly interacts with the mesocorticolimbic system, therefore suggesting a possible role for the SP system in the mediation of relapse.

Objectives

This study examined the effects of injections of the SP analogue, DiMe-C7, into the ventral tegmental area (VTA) on reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behaviour, as well as on locomotor activity in rats. Additionally, this study examined whether these effects are DA-dependent.

Methods

Rats were trained to self-administer cocaine for 15 days followed by 15 days of extinction. Reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behaviour was then measured in response to bilateral intra-VTA microinjections of DiMe-C7 (0, 0.1, 0.5 and 2.5 μg). In a separate group of rats, locomotor activity was measured in response to intra-VTA injections of DiMe-C7 (0, 0.5, 1.5 and 3 μg). The effects of pre-treatment with DA receptor antagonists on DiMe-C7-induced reinstatement and locomotor activity were also examined. Animals were pre-treated with the D1 and D2 receptor antagonists, SCH23390 and haloperidol (0, 0.01 and 0.03 mg/kg, IP), respectively, prior to receiving intra-VTA injections of DiMe-C7 (0 and 2.5 μg).

Results

Infusion of DiMe-C7 into the VTA increased locomotor activity and induced reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behaviour. Both SCH23390 and haloperidol blocked intra-VTA DiMe-C7-induced locomotor activation. In addition, SCH23390 attenuated DiMe-C7-induced reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behaviour, while haloperidol had no effect.

Conclusions

These results suggest that interactions between SP and the mesocorticolimbic DA system may play a role in mediating reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behaviour and that the involvement of these interactions in reinstatement are dependent upon D1 receptor mechanisms.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Dr. Suzanne Erb for helpful comments and suggestions throughout the study. This research was funded by a Canadian Institutes of Health Research grant to Dr. Franco J. Vaccarino.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5S 3G3

    Franca M. Placenza, Paul J. Fletcher & Franco J. Vaccarino

  2. Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5S 3G3

    Paul J. Fletcher, Susan Rotzinger & Franco J. Vaccarino

  3. Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College Street, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5T 1R8

    Paul J. Fletcher, Susan Rotzinger & Franco J. Vaccarino

  4. Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 1001 Queen Street, Toronto, ON, Canada, M6J 1H4

    Franco J. Vaccarino

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  1. Franca M. Placenza
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  2. Paul J. Fletcher
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  3. Susan Rotzinger
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  4. Franco J. Vaccarino
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Correspondence to Franco J. Vaccarino.

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Canadian Institutes of Health Research grant to Franco J. Vaccarino.

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Placenza, F.M., Fletcher, P.J., Rotzinger, S. et al. Infusion of the substance P analogue, DiMe-C7, into the ventral tegmental area induces reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behaviour in rats. Psychopharmacology 177, 111–120 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-004-1912-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-004-1912-9

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