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A General Method for Evaluating Deep Brain Stimulation Effects on Intravenous Methamphetamine Self-Administration
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Published on: January 22, 2016

Presynaptic dopamine modulation by stimulant self-administration.

Rodrigo A Espana1, Sara R Jones

  • 1Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA.

Frontiers in Bioscience (Scholar Edition)
|January 2, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The mesolimbic dopamine system drives goal-directed behaviors and is affected by drug abuse. Chronic stimulant exposure causes significant changes in dopamine neurotransmission and drug sensitivity, modeling addiction.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Psychopharmacology
  • Addiction Research

Background:

  • The mesolimbic dopamine system is crucial for goal-directed behaviors.
  • Drugs of abuse, like cocaine and amphetamine, acutely increase dopamine neurotransmission.
  • Chronic drug self-administration models stimulant abuse and addiction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review methodologies for measuring dopamine regulation.
  • To examine adaptations in dopamine neurotransmission during chronic stimulant exposure.
  • To understand changes in drug sensitivity associated with addiction.

Main Methods:

  • Measurement of dopamine levels in the nucleus accumbens core.
  • Assessment of presynaptic dopamine regulation, including exocytotic release.
  • Evaluation of dopamine transporter function.
  • Analysis of behavioral and neurochemical adaptations from drug self-administration.

Main Results:

  • Acute stimulant administration elevates dopamine neurotransmission.
  • Chronic cocaine and amphetamine self-administration induce significant adaptations.
  • Changes in dopamine release, reuptake, and transporter function are observed.
  • Altered drug sensitivity develops with prolonged exposure.

Conclusions:

  • The mesolimbic dopamine system undergoes substantial neuroadaptations during chronic stimulant abuse.
  • These adaptations contribute to the development and maintenance of addiction.
  • Understanding these changes is vital for developing effective addiction treatments.