Abstract
Background: Drug addiction in humans is associated with abnormal metabolic activity
within the amygdala and heightened control of behavior by drugs and drug-related (conditioned)
stimuli. Drug-induced neuroadaptations, including activation of cAMP (cyclic adenosine
monophosphate)-dependent protein kinase A (PKA), within the amygdala may contribute
to the synaptic plasticity and reward-related learning that underlies pathologic behavior
in addicted individuals.
Methods: In this study, we tested the hypothesis that stimulation of PKA activity
within the rat amygdala would facilitate the acquisition of Pavlovian approach behavior,
a measure of reward-related learning.
Results: Intraamygdala infusions of Sp-cAMPS (which activates PKA) produced concentration-dependent
enhancements of the acquisition of approach to a conditioned stimulus that predicted
water availability; intraamygdala infusions of cholera toxin (which elevates cAMP
levels) produced a similar effect. Conversely, intraamygdala infusions of Rp-cAMPS,
an inhibitor of PKA, impaired acquisition of approach behavior.
Conclusions: Together, these data demonstrate that stimulation of PKA activity in
the amygdala can facilitate reward-related learning and suggest that neuroadaptative
changes in the PKA pathway within this brain region may be a mechanism by which chronic
drug abuse alters the control of behavior by drug-associated stimuli.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
February 5,
2002
Received in revised form:
December 31,
2001
Received:
September 18,
2001
Identification
Copyright
© 2002 Society of Biological Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
