Opposite effects of γ1- and γ2-melanocyte stimulating hormone on regulation of the dopaminergic mesolimbic system in rats

Baiba Jansone, Lena Bergstrom, Simons Svirskis, Jonas Lindblom, Vija Klusa, Jarl E.S. Wikberg

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

By use of the brain microdialysis technique we show that administration of γ1-melanocyte stimulating hormone (γ1-MSH) into the ventral tegmental area of anaesthetized rats causes an increase in the release of extracellular dopamine and its metabolite 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid in the nucleus accumbens, while γ2-MSH causes the opposite effect. Moreover, γ2-MSH pre-treatment considerably reduced the γ1-MSH-induced effects. Our findings suggest an opposing action of two γ-MSH-activated pathways on the mesolimbic dopaminergic system, which could be important in the maintenance of a balanced psychoactivation state.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)68-71
Number of pages4
JournalNeuroscience Letters
Volume361
Issue number1-3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 6 May 2004
Externally publishedYes

Keywords*

  • 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic acid
  • Dopamine
  • Melanocyte stimulating hormone γ
  • Microdialysis
  • Nucleus accumbens
  • Ventral tegmental area

Field of Science*

  • 3.2 Clinical medicine
  • 3.1 Basic medicine

Publication Type*

  • 1.1. Scientific article indexed in Web of Science and/or Scopus database

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