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6-Hydroxydopamine lesions of the ventral tegmental area suppress ghrelin's ability to elicit food-reinforced behavior.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  21640160     Owner:  NLM     Status:  Publisher    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
While past research suggests that ghrelin stimulates appetite through an action on hypothalamic signaling, recent evidence indicates that the peptide acts via mesotelencephalic dopamine neurons to alter appetitive motivation. In the present study, rats were trained to operantly respond for food on a progressive ratio PR5 schedule until stable breakpoints were established. Ghrelin (30-300pmol) was then injected directly into the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the 300pmol dose was observed to increase breakpoint. The dopaminergic neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA, 6μg) was subsequently administered into the VTA resulting in a significant depletion of striatal dopamine. Stable breakpoints were then re-established. When ghrelin's effects were reassessed, the peptide's ability to alter operant responding for food was reliably reduced. Our findings demonstrate that ghrelin induces food-reinforced behavior in the mesotelencephalic reward pathway and that this effect is dependent on intact dopaminergic signaling. We conclude that the metabolic peptide ghrelin interacts with dopamine, within reward circuitry, to modulate appetitive behavior.
Authors:
Zachary Y Weinberg; Marjorie L Nicholson; Paul J Currie
Publication Detail:
Type:  JOURNAL ARTICLE     Date:  2011-5-23
Journal Detail:
Title:  Neuroscience letters     Volume:  -     ISSN:  1872-7972     ISO Abbreviation:  -     Publication Date:  2011 May 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-6-6     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  7600130     Medline TA:  Neurosci Lett     Country:  -    
Other Details:
Languages:  ENG     Pagination:  -     Citation Subset:  -    
Copyright Information:
Copyright © 2011. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Reed College, Portland, OR 97202, United States.
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