Cortical and thalamic inputs to the nucleus accumbens bi-directionally modulate ethanol consumption in C57BL/6J mice

The infralimbic cortex (IL) and anterior paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (aPVT) provide glutamatergic input to the NAc shell and excitation or inhibition of these pathways may modulate ethanol-drinking behavior. Using a chemogenetic approach, we examined the role of these brain regions on basal ethanol intake. AAV viruses containing hM3Dq-CaMKII-mCherry DREADDs were infused into the IL or aPVT and bilateral microinjection guide cannula were positioned over the NAc in C57BL/6J mice. After training mice to drink ethanol using a modified drinking in the dark paradigm, mice were challenged with systemic 3mg/kg clozapine-N-oxide (CNO).

Source: Alcohol - May 1, 2017 Category: Addiction Authors: H.L. Haun, R. Cannady, P.J. Mulholland, W.C. Griffin, H.C. Becker Source Type: research