Dopaminergic Regulation of Nucleus Accumbens Cholinergic Interneurons Demarcates Susceptibility to Cocaine Addiction.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Cholinergic interneurons (ChINs) in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) play critical roles in processing information related to reward. However, the contribution of ChINs to the emergence of addiction-like behaviors and its underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive.

Methods

We employed cocaine self-administration to identify two mouse subpopulations: susceptible and resilient to cocaine seeking. We compared the subpopulations for physiological responses with single-unit recording of NAc ChINs, and for gene expression levels with RNA sequencing of ChINs sorted using fluorescence-activated cell sorting. To provide evidence for a causal relationship, we manipulated the expression level of dopamine D₂ receptor (DRD2) in ChINs in a cell type-specific manner. U

SUBMITTER: Lee JH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7584775 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature