Optogenetic brain-stimulation reward: A new procedure to re-evaluate the rewarding versus aversive effects of cannabinoids in dopamine transporter-Cre mice.

ABSTRACT: Despite extensive research, the rewarding effects of cannabinoids are still debated. Here, we used a newly established animal procedure called optogenetic intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) (oICSS) to re-examine the abuse potential of cannabinoids in mice. A specific adeno-associated viral vector carrying a channelrhodopsin gene was microinjected into the ventral tegmental area (VTA) to express light-sensitive channelrhodopsin in dopamine (DA) neurons of transgenic dopamine transporter (DAT)-Cre mice. Optogenetic stimulation of VTA DA neurons was highly reinforcing and produced a classical "sigmoidal"-shaped stimulation-response curve dependent upon the laser pulse frequency. Systemic administration of cocaine dose-dependently enhanced oICSS and shifted stimulation-response curves upward

SUBMITTER: Humburg BA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9308103 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature