CART peptide increases the mesolimbic dopaminergic neuronal activity: a microdialysis study

Eur J Pharmacol. 2004 Jun 28;494(2-3):179-82. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2004.05.018.

Abstract

The effects of cocaine-and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) peptide on extracellular concentrations of dopamine metabolites, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA), in the shell region of the nucleus accumbens (AcbSh) were determined by microdialysis in conscious rats. Intracerebroventricular injections of various doses (0.1-5 microg/5 microl/rat) of CART(55-102) elicited dose-dependent increases of extracellular DOPAC and HVA concentration in the AcbSh, suggesting that CART(55-102) peptide has a psychostimulant-like effect via activation of the mesolimbic dopaminergic system.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Dopamine / metabolism*
  • Homovanillic Acid / metabolism
  • Injections, Intraventricular
  • Limbic System / anatomy & histology
  • Limbic System / drug effects
  • Limbic System / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Microdialysis
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / administration & dosage
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / pharmacology*
  • Neurons / drug effects
  • Neurons / metabolism*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Stimulation, Chemical

Substances

  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript protein
  • 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid
  • Dopamine
  • Homovanillic Acid