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Updated: Oct 18, 2026
A General Method for Evaluating Deep Brain Stimulation Effects on Intravenous Methamphetamine Self-Administration
Published on: January 22, 2016
Self-administration of intravenous amphetamine: effect of nucleus accumbens CCKB receptor activation on fixed-ratio
D E Bush1, N J DeSousa, F J Vaccarino
1Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Rationale:
The mesolimbic dopamine (DA) system is implicated in psychostimulant drug self-administration. The neuropeptide cholecystokinin (CCK) is co-localised with DA and inhibits nucleus accumbens (NAcc) DAergic neurotransmission via CCKB receptors.
Objectives:
The present experiment was designed to examine the effects of intra-NAcc CCKB receptor stimulation on fixed-ratio (FR) amphetamine self-administration.
Methods:
Wistar rats with intravenous catheters and NAcc cannulae were trained to self-administer amphetamine under a FR3 schedule of reinforcement. Animals performing stable self-administration were microinjected with pentagastrin and assessed during 3-h sessions.
Results:
Intra-NAcc pentagastrin dose dependently increased amphetamine intake.
Conclusions:
These results are consistent with the notion that NAcc CCKB receptor activation attenuates amphetamine reward.
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