QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

HOME  |   SEARCH  |   ARCHIVE  |   SUBSCRIBE  |   CONTACT  |   HELP

The Journal of Neuroscience, January 24, 2007, 27(4):791-795; doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4152-06.2007

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Supplemental Data Submit an eLetter Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Web of Science (41) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Cheer, J. F. Articles by Wightman, R. M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Cheer, J. F. Articles by Wightman, R. M.

 Previous Article  |  Next Article 

Brief Communications
Phasic Dopamine Release Evoked by Abused Substances Requires Cannabinoid Receptor Activation

Joseph F. Cheer, Kate M. Wassum, Leslie A. Sombers, Michael L. A. V. Heien, Jennifer L. Ariansen, Brandon J. Aragona, Paul E. M. Phillips, and R. Mark Wightman

Department of Chemistry and Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-3290

Correspondence should be addressed to R. Mark Wightman, Department of Chemistry and Neuroscience Center, Campus Box 3290, Venable Hall, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3290. Email: rmw{at}unc.edu

Transient surges of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens are associated with drug seeking. Using a voltammetric sensor with high temporal and spatial resolution, we demonstrate differences in the temporal profile of dopamine concentration transients caused by acute doses of nicotine, ethanol, and cocaine in the nucleus accumbens shell of freely moving rats. Despite differential release dynamics, all drug effects are uniformly inhibited by administration of rimonabant, a cannabinoid receptor (CB₁) antagonist, suggesting that an increase in endocannabinoid tone facilitates the effects of commonly abused drugs on subsecond dopamine release. These time-resolved chemical measurements provide unique insight into the neurobiological effectiveness of rimonabant in treating addictive disorders.

Key words: rimonabant; dopamine; cocaine; nicotine; ethanol; cyclic voltammetry

---

Received July 18, 2006; revised Dec. 14, 2006; accepted Dec. 14, 2006.

Correspondence should be addressed to R. Mark Wightman, Department of Chemistry and Neuroscience Center, Campus Box 3290, Venable Hall, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3290. Email: rmw{at}unc.edu

This article has been cited by other articles:

				R. J. Ward, F. Lallemand, and P. de Witte Biochemical and Neurotransmitter Changes Implicated in Alcohol-Induced Brain Damage in Chronic or 'Binge Drinking' Alcohol Abuse Alcohol Alcohol., March 1, 2009; 44(2): 128 - 135. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. A. Sombers, M. Beyene, R. M. Carelli, and R. Mark Wightman Synaptic Overflow of Dopamine in the Nucleus Accumbens Arises from Neuronal Activity in the Ventral Tegmental Area J. Neurosci., February 11, 2009; 29(6): 1735 - 1742. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. Manago, C. Castellano, A. Oliverio, A. Mele, and E. De Leonibus Role of dopamine receptors subtypes, D1-like and D2-like, within the nucleus accumbens subregions, core and shell, on memory consolidation in the one-trial inhibitory avoidance task Learn. Mem., December 30, 2008; 16(1): 46 - 52. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Melis, G. Pillolla, A. Luchicchi, A. L. Muntoni, S. Yasar, S. R. Goldberg, and M. Pistis Endogenous Fatty Acid Ethanolamides Suppress Nicotine-Induced Activation of Mesolimbic Dopamine Neurons through Nuclear Receptors J. Neurosci., December 17, 2008; 28(51): 13985 - 13994. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. J. Aragona, N. A. Cleaveland, G. D. Stuber, J. J. Day, R. M. Carelli, and R. M. Wightman Preferential Enhancement of Dopamine Transmission within the Nucleus Accumbens Shell by Cocaine Is Attributable to a Direct Increase in Phasic Dopamine Release Events J. Neurosci., August 27, 2008; 28(35): 8821 - 8831. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A.-G. Corbille, E. Valjent, G. Marsicano, C. Ledent, B. Lutz, D. Herve, and J.-A. Girault Role of Cannabinoid Type 1 Receptors in Locomotor Activity and Striatal Signaling in Response to Psychostimulants J. Neurosci., June 27, 2007; 27(26): 6937 - 6947. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home  |   Search  |   Archive  |   Subscribe  |   Contact  |   Help