Circuit dynamics of in vivo dynorphn release in the nucleus accumbens

We recently used an optogenetic approach to demonstrate that stimulation of dynorphinergic cells in the ventral nucleus accumbens shell (vNAcSh) elicits robust aversive behavior and photostimulation of dorsal NAcSh dynorphin (dNAcSh) cells induces a place preference and is positively reinforcing. Both of which appear to be dependent on kappa opioid receptor (KOR) activation. To follow these recently published findings, we are investigating how KOR is able to mediate these opposing behaviors in two distinct regions of the NAcSh.

Source: Alcohol - May 1, 2017 Category: Addiction Authors: Ream Al-Hasani, Jenny M. Wong, Jordan G. McCall, Omar S. Mabrouk, Gavin Schmitz, Kirsten Porter-Stransky, Julio M. Bernardi, Brandon Aragona, Robert T. Kennedy, Michael R. Bruchas Source Type: research