DAMGO and DPDPE facilitation of brain stimulation reward thresholds is blocked by the dopamine antagonist cis-flupenthixol

Neuropharmacology. 1997 Aug;36(8):1109-14. doi: 10.1016/s0028-3908(97)00075-0.

Abstract

The role of dopamine neurotransmission in opioid reward was investigated using a rate-independent measure for determining brain stimulation reward (BSR) thresholds. Intra-accumbens infusions of the mu- and delta-specific peptides, D-Ala2, N-Me-Phe4, Gly-ol5-Enkephalin and D-Pen2, D-Pen5-Enkephalin caused significant lowering of BSR thresholds. The dopamine D1/D2 antagonist, cis-flupenthixol, blocked these effects at a dose that did not significantly alter thresholds when given alone. These data suggest both mu- and delta-opioid potentiation of BSR is dopamine dependent.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / drug effects*
  • Brain / physiology
  • Dopamine Antagonists / pharmacology*
  • Drug Antagonism
  • Enkephalin, Ala(2)-MePhe(4)-Gly(5)-
  • Enkephalin, D-Penicillamine (2,5)-
  • Enkephalins / administration & dosage
  • Enkephalins / pharmacology*
  • Flupenthixol / pharmacology*
  • Injections
  • Male
  • Nucleus Accumbens
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred F344
  • Receptors, Opioid, delta / agonists*
  • Receptors, Opioid, mu / agonists*
  • Reward*
  • Self Stimulation
  • Synaptic Transmission / physiology

Substances

  • Dopamine Antagonists
  • Enkephalins
  • Receptors, Opioid, delta
  • Receptors, Opioid, mu
  • Enkephalin, Ala(2)-MePhe(4)-Gly(5)-
  • Enkephalin, D-Penicillamine (2,5)-
  • Flupenthixol