The relative balance between acetylcholine and dopamine systems in the nucleus accumbens shell mediates morphine-induced behavioral sensitization in rat

Behavioral sensitization reflects long-term adaptive changes in the central nervous system induced by repeated exposure to drugs of abuse and the process of pathological motivation for drugs or drug-wanting. Previous studies have demonstrated that repeated administration of morphine increased dopamine but decreased acetylcholine in the nucleus accumbens, which included the shell of the nucleus accumbens (NAcS). The present study investigated the effect of balance between the cholinergic and dopaminergic systems in the NAcS on morphine-induced behavioral sensitization. Behavioral sensitization was established by exposure to 5 mg/kg morphine once every three days for a total of three exposures. Expression of behavioral sensitization was challenged by 5 mg/kg morphine. The results showed that: The acetylcholinesterase inhibitor huperzine-A (0.5 ?g/side) microinjected into the NAcS blocked initiation and expression of morphine-induced behavioral sensitization, which were reversed by the dopamine D1 receptor agonist SKF38393; The muscarinic receptor antagonist scopolamine (10.8 ?g/side) had no effect on morphine-induced behavioral sensitization; We further investigated the role of the M4 receptor in expression of morphine-induced behavioral sensitization because the expression stage is more related to relapse. Microinjection of the M4 receptor agonist LY2033298 (0.2 ?g/side), but not the antagonist tropicamide (5, 10, or 20 ?M/side), into the NAcS blocked expression of behavioral sensitization; Furthermore, tropicamide (20 ?M/side) reversed the inhibition effect of huperzine-A; and SKF38393 (1 ?g/ side) reversed the inhibitory effect of LY2033298 on expression of morphine-induced behavioral sensitization. Our findings suggest that the balance between dopamine and acetylcholine in the NAcS modulates morphine-induced behavioral sensitization, which can be regulated by the M4 receptor.

Author(s): Xinwang Li

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