VTA DA Neuron Electrophysiology in Selected Rat Lines

描述(申请人提供)：本R01的长期目标是 利用电生理学技术识别中枢神经系统机制 寻酒行为。具体目标是为了检验这一假设 中脑边缘多巴胺(DA)系统的先天差异是遗传的基础 易受高酒精寻觅行为的影响。选择性培育的大鼠品系 将使用不同的饮酒方式：偏爱酒精的P， 酒精-不喜欢NP，高酒精饮酒HAD和低酒精饮酒 小伙子们的台词。单独的实验将集中在神经元的活动上。 腹侧被盖区(VTA)DA神经元。细胞外记录技术和 离子导入法将被用来确定P， NP、HAD和LAD大鼠P和NP对NMDA受体敏感性的差异 慢性应激大鼠及P、HAD大鼠神经元活动的差异 饮酒和戒酒。该项目的成果将提供 关于HIGH所涉及的电生理参数的基本见解 寻酒行为。这些信息将与发展密切相关 治疗酒精中毒和酗酒的药物疗法。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The long-term objective of this R01 is to identify, using electrophysiological techniques, CNS mechanisms mediating high alcohol seeking behavior. The specific aims are designed to test the hypothesis that innate differences in the mesolimbic dopamine (DA) system underlie genetic vulnerability to high alcohol seeking behavior. Rat lines selectively bred for disparate alcohol drinking will be used: the alcohol-preferring P, alcohol-non-preferring NP, high alcohol drinking HAD and low alcohol drinking LAD lines. The individual experiments will focus on the neuronal activity of ventral tegmental area (VTA) DA neurons. Extracellular recording techniques and iontophoresis will be used to determine differences in basal activity among P, NP, HAD and LAD rats, differences in receptor sensitivities to NMDA in P and NP rats and differences in neuronal activity in P and HAD rats during chronic alcohol consumption and abstinence. The results of this project will provide fundamental insights regarding electrophysiological parameters involved in high alcohol seeking behavior. Such information will be germane for developing pharmacotherapies for the treatment of alcoholism and alcohol abuse.