Percentage of Fos + NeuN double-labeled nuclei per millimeter squared in the dmPFC, NAc-Core, BNST, CeA, BLA, and pVTA associated with nicotine-induced acceleration of the escalation of alcohol self-administration
| Group | dmPFC (%) | Ac-Core (%) | BNST (%) | CeA (%) | BLA (%) | pVTA (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air-Naive | 1.8 ± 0.1 | 2.6 ± 0.1 | 0.7 ± 0.1 | 1.4 ± 0.6 | 2.1 ± 0.2 | 4.6 ± 0.7 |
| Air-Saline | 2.2 ± 0.2 | 3.5 ± 0.4 | 1.4 ± 0.1 | 1.4 ± 1.1 | 1.9 ± 0.2 | 6.1 ± 0.1 |
| Air-Nicotine | 1.7 ± 0.1 | 3.9 ± 0.2 | 2.5 ± 0.2 | 1.1 ± 0.2 | 1.7 ± 0.1 | 6.7 ± 1.2 |
| Vapor-Naive | 1.9 ± 0.2 | 2.5 ± 0.5 | 1.0 ± 0.1 | 0.3 ± 0.3 | 1.1 ± 0.1 | 4.6 ± 0.2 |
| Vapor-Saline | 1.6 ± 0.1 | 3.0 ± 0.5 | 2.3 ± 0.0.2 | 0.9 ± 0.2 | 1.5 ± 0.4 | 7.7 ± 1.0 |
| Vapor-Nicotine | 7.6 ± 1.4* | 7.4 ± 0.9* | 4.1 ± 0.1* | 3.5 ± 0.6* | 6.2 ± 0.6* | 13.25 ± 2.5 |
Two-way ANOVA revealed a significant interaction between the vapor and drug factors (F(2,12) = 8.11, p < 0.05).
↵*p < 0.05, compared with other groups in the same brain area.