Elevated Expression of Serotonin 5-HT2A Receptors in the Rat Ventral Tegmental Area Enhances Vulnerability to the Behavioral Effects of Cocaine
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 15518014 |
|---|---|
| Authors | David V Herin (The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, corresponding author), Marcy J Bubar (The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston), Patricia K Seitz (The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston), Mary L Thomas (The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston), Gilbert R Hillman (The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston), Yevgeniya I Tarasenko (The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston), Ping Wu (0000-0002-0788-6268, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston), Kathryn A Cunningham (0000-0002-4257-1739, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston) |
| Year | 2013 |
| Volume | 4 |
| Pages | 2-2 |
| Publication date | 2013-01-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Frontiers in Psychiatry (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1664-0640 • E-ISSN: 1664-0640 |
| Publisher | Frontiers Media (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3389/fpsyt.2013.00002 |
| PMID | 23390419 |
| PMCID | PMC3565455 |
| OpenAlex | W2111300618 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 3 |
The dopamine mesocorticoaccumbens pathway which originates in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and projects to the nucleus accumbens and prefrontal cortex is a circuit important in mediating the actions of psychostimulants. The function of this circuit is modulated by the actions of serotonin (5-HT) at 5-HT(2A) receptors (5-HT(2A)R) localized to the VTA. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that virally mediated overexpression of 5-HT(2A)R in the VTA would increase cocaine-evoked locomotor activity in the absence of alterations in basal locomotor activity. A plasmid containing the gene for the 5-HT(2A)R linked to a synthetic marker peptide (Flag) was created and the construct was packaged in an adeno-associated virus vector (rAAV-5-HT(2A)R-Flag). This viral vector (2 μl; 10(9-10) transducing units/ml) was unilaterally infused into the VTA of male rats, while control animals received an intra-VTA infusion of Ringer's solution. Virus-pretreated rats exhibited normal spontaneous locomotor activity measured in a modified open-field apparatus at 7, 14, and 21 days following infusion. After an injection of cocaine (15 mg/kg, ip), both horizontal hyperactivity and rearing were significantly enhanced in virus-treated rats (p < 0.05). Immunohistochemical analysis confirmed expression of Flag and overexpression of the 5-HT(2A)R protein. These data indicate that the vulnerability of adult male rats to hyperactivity induced by cocaine is enhanced following increased levels of expression of the 5-HT(2A)R in the VTA and suggest that the 5-HT(2A)R receptor in the VTA plays a role in regulation of responsiveness to cocaine
5-HT receptor · Dopamine · Receptor · Serotonin · Ventral tegmental area · Vulnerability (computing · Computer Science · Medicine · Neuroscience · Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research · Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior · Psychology · Receptor Mechanisms and Signaling · Internal Medicine
| Unique citing works | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,33 |
| Citation span | 2023 - 2023 (1) |
| Citation velocity | historical |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 1 |