Selective regulation of dopamine transporter binding in the shell of the nucleus accumbens by adrenalectomy and corticosterone-replacement

[Extract] Chronic stress or high glucocorticoid levels have been shown to affect fundamental brain functions, including emotions, cognition, and reward/reinforcement, and may be associated with psychiatric disorders (McEwen, 1998; Piazza and LeMoal, 1997). Stress and glucocorticoids (GCs) have also been suggested as major factors influencing drug addiction (Kreek, 1996; Piazza and LeMoal, 1997). For example, chronic stress increases the vulnerability to develop psychostimulant selfadministration in a glucocorticoid-responsive manner (for a review, see Piazza and LeMoal, 1997). Moreover, rats have been shown to intravenously self-administer corticosterone (CORT) (see Piazza and LeMoal, 1997), which suggests an important role of CORT in reward related brain processes.

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1098-2396

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