Degree Name
MS (Master of Science)
Program
Biology
Date of Award
12-2018
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
Matthew I. Palmatier
Committee Members
Gerald A. Deehan, Russel W. Brown, Thomas C. Jones
Abstract
Projections from the Nucleus Accumbens (NAc) to the Ventral Pallidum (VP) play a critical role in motivation and reward. Rewards and reward-associated cues are thought to alter this pathway by suppressing GABA release to the VP, however, the role of the NAc to VP pathway has never been investigated with regard to nicotine self-administration. We hypothesized that increasing GABAergic signaling from the NAc to the VP would decrease the reinforcing effects of nicotine. To increase GABA release, CRE dependent DREADD was expressed in the NAc of male rats. Administration of low dose clozapine activated the DREADD receptor and showed a reduction in responding for nicotine suggesting that activation of the NAc to VP pathway reduced reinforcement. However, a nonspecific effect was observed leading to future investigation of locomotor activity. Immunohistochemistry and microdialysis were used to confirm DREADD expression in the NAc and increased extracellular GABA in the VP.
Document Type
Thesis - unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Smith, Amanda, "DREADD Targeting Projections from the Nucleus Accumbens to the Ventral Pallidum with Nicotine Self-Administration" (2018). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 3515. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/3515
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.
Included in
Medicine and Health Sciences Commons, Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons, Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons