Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP)overexpression in the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus alters motivated and affective behavior in female rats.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) has been found to be involved in a wide range of motivated and affective behaviors. While the PACAP-38 isoform is more densely expressed than PACAP-27 in most of the brain, PACAP-27 is more highly expressed in the rodent paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT), where females also have greater expression than males. Notably, the role of PACAP-27 expression in cells of the PVT has not been explored.

Methods

Adult, female Long-Evans rats were injected in the PVT with an adeno-associated virus (AAV) to increase expression of PACAP or a control AAV. They were then investigated for subsequent ethanol drinking and preference; sucrose drinking and preference; or locomotor activity in a novel chamber, behavio

SUBMITTER: Carpenter BA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11928257 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature