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Neuroscience Bulletin
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08-06-2024 | Original Article

Modulation of Nicotine-Associated Behaviour in Rats By μ-Opioid Signals from the Medial Prefrontal Cortex to the Nucleus Accumbens Shell

Authors: Feng Zhu, Hirosato Kanda, Hiroyuki Neyama, Yuping Wu, Shigeki Kato, Di Hu, Shaoqi Duan, Koichi Noguchi, Yasuyoshi Watanabe, Kazuto Kobayashi, Yi Dai, Yilong Cui

Published in: Neuroscience Bulletin | Issue 12/2024

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Abstract

Nicotine addiction is a concern worldwide. Most mechanistic investigations are on nicotine substance dependence properties based on its pharmacological effects. However, no effective therapeutic treatment has been established. Nicotine addiction is reinforced by environments or habits. We demonstrate the neurobiological basis of the behavioural aspect of nicotine addiction. We utilized the conditioned place preference to establish nicotine-associated behavioural preferences (NABP) in rats. Brain-wide neuroimaging analysis revealed that the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) was activated and contributed to NABP. Chemogenetic manipulation of µ-opioid receptor positive (MOR+) neurons in the mPFC or the excitatory outflow to the nucleus accumbens shell (NAcShell) modulated the NABP. Electrophysiological recording confirmed that the MOR+ neurons directly regulate the mPFC-NAcShell circuit via GABAA receptors. Thus, the MOR+ neurons in the mPFC modulate the formation of behavioural aspects of nicotine addiction via direct excitatory innervation to the NAcShell, which may provide new insight for the development of effective therapeutic strategies.
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Metadata
Title
Modulation of Nicotine-Associated Behaviour in Rats By μ-Opioid Signals from the Medial Prefrontal Cortex to the Nucleus Accumbens Shell
Authors
Feng Zhu
Hirosato Kanda
Hiroyuki Neyama
Yuping Wu
Shigeki Kato
Di Hu
Shaoqi Duan
Koichi Noguchi
Yasuyoshi Watanabe
Kazuto Kobayashi
Yi Dai
Yilong Cui
Publication date
08-06-2024
Publisher
Springer Nature Singapore
Published in
Neuroscience Bulletin / Issue 12/2024
Print ISSN: 1673-7067
Electronic ISSN: 1995-8218
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12264-024-01230-1

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