The physiological role of pain-induced dopamine release within the nucleus accumbens in affections

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26460330
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: General pharmacology
• Research Institution: Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science (2015-2016); Hokkaido University (2014)
• Principal Investigator: IDE Soichiro 公益財団法人東京都医学総合研究所, 精神行動医学研究分野, 主席研究員 (30389118)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 側坐核 / ドパミン / 痛み / 報酬 / うつ / 負情動 / 嫌悪

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In the present study, we examined the physiological role of pain-induced dopamine release within the nucleus accumbens in pain-induced aversion. A significant increase in the dopamine level and increased neuronal activity within the rostral part of the nucleus accumbens shell were caused by the acetic acid intraperitoneal injection. The conditioned place aversion (CPA) induced by the acetic acid intraperitoneal injection was abolished in dopamine transporter knockout mice. Further, reward-induced dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens of neuropathic pain rats were investigated. Pain relief and sucrose solution were given to the neuropathic pain rats as rewards. Rewards increased dopamine release in the early, but not late, phase of pain. Dysfunction of the mesolimbic dopamine reward circuit might be a common neuronal mechanism underlying chronic pain and depression and a potential target to develop novel analgesic and antidepressant medications.

Free Research Field

精神薬理学