Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 25, 2026

Creating Dynamic Images of Short-lived Dopamine Fluctuations with lp-ntPET: Dopamine Movies of Cigarette Smoking
Published on: August 6, 2013
Effect of systemically administered oxytocin on dose response for methylphenidate self-administration and mesolimbic
Mary R Lee1, Matthew C H Rohn1, Claudio Zanettini2
1Section on Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Division of Intramural Clinical and Basic Research and National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland.
Abstract:
The neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) alters behaviors related to the administration of drugs of abuse, including stimulants. OT also plays a key role in social bonding, which involves an interaction between OT and dopamine (DA) in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). The nature of the interaction between OT and DA in the striatum in the context of psychostimulants is unclear. We investigated the effect of OT, delivered intraperitoneally, on the methylphenidate (MP) dose-response function for self-administration in rats. Food was used as a control condition. In a microdialysis study, we measured the effect of intraperitoneal OT on MP-stimulated striatal DA levels. Systemic OT pretreatment caused a downward shift in the MP dose-response function for self-administration, while having no effect on motor activity. OT also caused a reduction in food self-administration, although a significantly higher dose of OT was required for this effect compared with that required for a reduction of MP self-administration. Systemic OT pretreatment caused a potentiation of MP-stimulated DA levels in the NAc shell but not in the core. The significance of these findings is discussed, including the potential of OT as a therapeutic agent for addictive disorders.
More Related Videos
12:27The Utilization of Oropharyngeal Intratracheal PAMP Administration and Bronchoalveolar Lavage to Evaluate the Host Immune Response in Mice
Published on: April 2, 2014
10:44Examination of Rapid Dopamine Dynamics with Fast Scan Cyclic Voltammetry During Intra-oral Tastant Administration in Awake Rats
Published on: August 12, 2015
Related Concept Videos
Dose-Response Relationship: Overview
Dose-Response Relationship: Potency and Efficacy
Dose-Response Relationship: Selectivity and Specificity
Dose Size and Dosing Frequency: Determination Methods
Levels of Organization
Molecules Are Composed of Atoms, and Biomolecules Are Assembled from Molecules:
The most basic levels include atoms, molecules, and biomolecules. Atoms, the smallest unit of ordinary matter, are composed of a nucleus and electrons. Molecules...
Determination of Multiple Dosing Parameters: Loading and Maintenance Doses