What question did this study set out to answer?

To determine whether repeated administration of drugs of abuse and stress alters glutamate receptor subunit expression within central dopamine pathways in the rat brain.

January 1, 1996Journal of NeuroscienceOpen Access

Drugs of abuse and stress increase the expression of GluR1 and NMDAR1 glutamate receptor subunits in the rat ventral tegmental area: common adaptations among cross-sensitizing agents

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Authors

LFLW FitzgeraldYale University JOJordí OrtizFlagstaff Medical Center AHAG HamedaniGlaxoSmithKline (United States)

Discussion

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Implication

Preclinical study reveals that repeated drug exposure and stress selectively upregulate GluR1 and NMDAR1 subunits in the rat ventral tegmental area, suggesting a shared mechanism of sensitization.

Key Points

To determine whether repeated administration of drugs of abuse and stress alters glutamate receptor subunit expression within central dopamine pathways in the rat brain.
Measured protein levels of AMPA (GluR1, GluR2), NMDA (NMDAR1, NMDA2A/B), and kainate (GluR6/7) receptor subunits across mesolimbic and nigrostriatal dopamine regions using subunit-specific immunoblotting.
Treated rats with acute or repeated cocaine, intermittent escalating or pellet morphine, repeated restraint stress (two daily sessions under variable conditions), or non-reinforcing psychotropic agents (haloperidol, raclopride, sertraline, desipramine).
Repeated, but not acute, cocaine significantly increased immunoreactivity of GluR1 and NMDAR1 selectively in the ventral tegmental area, with no changes detected in GluR2, NMDA2A/B, GluR6/7, or other dopamine regions such as the substantia nigra.
Intermittent escalating morphine and repeated restraint stress both elevated GluR1 (and NMDAR1 following stress) in the ventral tegmental area, whereas pellet morphine and non-reinforcing psychotropic drugs produced no alterations.

Cite This Study

Fitzgerald et al. (1996) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a7d75ec58b935a3e446e206 https://doi.org/10.1523/jneurosci.16-01-00274.1996

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Implication

Preclinical study reveals that repeated drug exposure and stress selectively upregulate GluR1 and NMDAR1 subunits in the rat ventral tegmental area, suggesting a shared mechanism of sensitization.

Drugs of abuse and stress increase the expression of GluR1 and NMDAR1 glutamate receptor subunits in the rat ventral tegmental area: common adaptations among cross-sensitizing agents

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Drugs of abuse and stress increase the expression of GluR1 and NMDAR1 glutamate receptor subunits in the rat ventral tegmental area: common adaptations among cross-sensitizing agents

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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