Gender and Hormonal Differences in Cocaine-Induced Dopamine Release in the Nucleus Accumbens Shell
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Authors
Chamberlain, Kathryn N.
Issue Date
2012
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
Dopamine release triggered by midbrain neurons plays an important role in the nucleus
accumbens shell, which is primarily associated with motivation and reward. The ovarian
steroid hormone, estrogen, regulates the dopamine active transporters (DAT), and
influences the release and metabolism of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens shell.
Cocaine also influences extracellular dopamine release by blocking DAT, allowing
dopamine to remain in the synapse longer. This study examined the role of both estrogen
priming and cocaine infusion on extracellular dopamine release in estrogen-treated
female, oil-treated female, estrogen-treated male, and oil-treated male rats before and
after cocaine administration using fast scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV). Administration
of cocaine significantly increased the dopamine response in the nucleus accumbens
within all 4 groups. However, no significant difference was observed between the 4
groups.
Description
v, 30 p.
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License
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