Ventral tegmental area BDNF induces an opiate-dependent-like reward state in naïve rats

Hector Vargas-Perez; Ryan Ting A. Kee; Christine H. Walton; D. Micah Hansen; Rozita Razavi; Laura Clarke; Mary Rose Bufalino; David W. Allison; Scott C. Steffensen; Derek Der Van Kooy

doi:10.1126/science.1168501

Ventral tegmental area BDNF induces an opiate-dependent-like reward state in naïve rats

Hector Vargas-Perez, Ryan Ting A. Kee, Christine H. Walton, D. Micah Hansen, Rozita Razavi, Laura Clarke, Mary Rose Bufalino, David W. Allison, Scott C. Steffensen, Derek Der Van Kooy

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

163 Scopus citations

Abstract

The neural mechanisms underlying the transition from a drug-nondependent to a drug-dependent state remain elusive. Chronic exposure to drugs has been shown to increase brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in ventral tegmental area (VTA) neurons. BDNF infusions into the VTA potentiate several behavioral effects of drugs, including psychomotor sensitization and cue-induced drug seeking. We found that a single infusion of BDNF into the VTA promotes a shift from a dopamine-independent to a dopa mine-dependent opiate reward system, identical to that seen when an opiate-naïve rat becomes dependent and withdrawn. This shift involves a switch in the γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABA_A) receptors of VTA GABAergic neurons, from inhibitory to excitatory signaling.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	1732-1734
Number of pages	3
Journal	Science
Volume	324
Issue number	5935
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1168501
State	Published - Jun 26 2009

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title = "Ventral tegmental area BDNF induces an opiate-dependent-like reward state in na{\"i}ve rats",

abstract = "The neural mechanisms underlying the transition from a drug-nondependent to a drug-dependent state remain elusive. Chronic exposure to drugs has been shown to increase brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in ventral tegmental area (VTA) neurons. BDNF infusions into the VTA potentiate several behavioral effects of drugs, including psychomotor sensitization and cue-induced drug seeking. We found that a single infusion of BDNF into the VTA promotes a shift from a dopamine-independent to a dopa mine-dependent opiate reward system, identical to that seen when an opiate-na{\"i}ve rat becomes dependent and withdrawn. This shift involves a switch in the γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptors of VTA GABAergic neurons, from inhibitory to excitatory signaling.",

author = "Hector Vargas-Perez and Kee, {Ryan Ting A.} and Walton, {Christine H.} and {Micah Hansen}, D. and Rozita Razavi and Laura Clarke and Bufalino, {Mary Rose} and Allison, {David W.} and Steffensen, {Scott C.} and {Van Kooy}, {Derek Der}",

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T1 - Ventral tegmental area BDNF induces an opiate-dependent-like reward state in naïve rats

AU - Vargas-Perez, Hector

AU - Kee, Ryan Ting A.

AU - Walton, Christine H.

AU - Micah Hansen, D.

AU - Razavi, Rozita

AU - Clarke, Laura

AU - Bufalino, Mary Rose

AU - Allison, David W.

AU - Steffensen, Scott C.

AU - Van Kooy, Derek Der

PY - 2009/6/26

Y1 - 2009/6/26

N2 - The neural mechanisms underlying the transition from a drug-nondependent to a drug-dependent state remain elusive. Chronic exposure to drugs has been shown to increase brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in ventral tegmental area (VTA) neurons. BDNF infusions into the VTA potentiate several behavioral effects of drugs, including psychomotor sensitization and cue-induced drug seeking. We found that a single infusion of BDNF into the VTA promotes a shift from a dopamine-independent to a dopa mine-dependent opiate reward system, identical to that seen when an opiate-naïve rat becomes dependent and withdrawn. This shift involves a switch in the γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptors of VTA GABAergic neurons, from inhibitory to excitatory signaling.

AB - The neural mechanisms underlying the transition from a drug-nondependent to a drug-dependent state remain elusive. Chronic exposure to drugs has been shown to increase brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in ventral tegmental area (VTA) neurons. BDNF infusions into the VTA potentiate several behavioral effects of drugs, including psychomotor sensitization and cue-induced drug seeking. We found that a single infusion of BDNF into the VTA promotes a shift from a dopamine-independent to a dopa mine-dependent opiate reward system, identical to that seen when an opiate-naïve rat becomes dependent and withdrawn. This shift involves a switch in the γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptors of VTA GABAergic neurons, from inhibitory to excitatory signaling.

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Ventral tegmental area BDNF induces an opiate-dependent-like reward state in naïve rats

Abstract

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