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Published on: June 2, 2018
The effects of dentate granule cell destruction on behavioral activity and Fos protein expression induced by systemic
Mujun Won1, Yoshio Minabe, Kunihiko Tani
1Department of Psychiatry and Neurology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Shizuoka 431-3192, Japan.
Abstract:
In this study, we examined the effect of the s.c. administration of (+/-) 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) or saline on locomotor activity and Fos expression following the bilateral destruction of hippocampal dentate granule cells by colchicine in rats. The lesioned animals, when administered s.c. saline, showed a significantly greater increase in locomotor activity compared to the intact animals, and revealed a marginally significant level of increased locomotor activity compared to the sham-lesioned animals. In addition, when the lesioned animals were given s.c. saline or MDMA, there was a significant increase in Fos expression in the nucleus accumbens core, but not in the medial prefrontal cortex, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, piriform cortex, dorsal striatum, or nucleus accumbens shell, compared to the intact and sham-lesioned animals. Overall, these results suggest that the nucleus accumbens core may be involved in the enhancement of locomotor activity induced by the injection of saline alone (stress loading) or MDMA following bilateral destruction of hippocampal dentate granule cells by colchicine.
Insights
Bilateral destruction of hippocampal dentate granule cells in rats increased locomotor activity and Fos expression in the nucleus accumbens core. This suggests the nucleus accumbens core is involved in MDMA-induced hyperactivity following hippocampal damage.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- The hippocampus plays a crucial role in regulating locomotor activity and is sensitive to neurotoxic agents like colchicine.
- Hippocampal damage can alter behavioral responses to drugs and environmental stimuli.
- Fos expression is a marker of neuronal activation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of MDMA and saline on locomotor activity and Fos expression in rats with hippocampal dentate granule cell destruction.
- To determine the role of the nucleus accumbens core in mediating these effects.
Main Methods:
- Rats underwent bilateral destruction of hippocampal dentate granule cells using colchicine.
- Animals received subcutaneous injections of MDMA or saline.
- Locomotor activity was measured.
- Fos expression in various brain regions, including the nucleus accumbens, was assessed.
Main Results:
- Lesioned rats showed significantly increased locomotor activity compared to intact and sham-lesioned controls when given saline.
- Both saline and MDMA administration in lesioned rats led to significant Fos expression in the nucleus accumbens core.
- No significant Fos expression was observed in other brain regions examined.
Conclusions:
- The nucleus accumbens core is implicated in the enhanced locomotor activity observed after hippocampal damage, both under saline (stress) and MDMA conditions.
- MDMA's effects on locomotor activity may be modulated by hippocampal integrity.
- These findings highlight the complex interplay between the hippocampus and the nucleus accumbens in regulating behavior.
