Gamma-Aminobutyric Acidergic Projections From the Dorsal Raphe to the Nucleus Accumbens Are Regulated by Neuromedin U.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Neuromedin U (NMU) is a neuropeptide enriched in the nucleus accumbens shell (NAcSh), a brain region associated with reward. While NMU and its receptor, NMU receptor 2 (NMUR2), have been studied for the ability to regulate food reward, NMU has not been studied in the context of drugs of abuse (e.g., cocaine). Furthermore, the neuroanatomical pathways that express NMUR2 and its ultrastructural localization are unknown.

Methods

Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the synaptic localization of NMUR2 in the NAcSh and characterize which neurons express this receptor (n = 17). The functional outcome of NMU on NMUR2 was examined using microdialysis (n = 16). The behavioral effects of NMU microinjection directly to the NAcSh were investigated using cocaine-evoked lo

SUBMITTER: Kasper JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5016225 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature