Stephen V Mahler1, Kent C Berridge. 1. Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. mahler@musc.edu
Abstract
RATIONALE: Amygdala-related circuitry helps translate learned Pavlovian associations into appetitive and aversive motivation, especially upon subsequent encounters with cues. OBJECTIVES: We asked whether μ-opioid stimulation via microinjections of the specific agonist D-Ala(2), N-MePhe(4), Gly-ol)-enkephalin (DAMGO) in central nucleus of amygdala (CeA), or the adjacent basolateral amygdala (BLA) would magnify sucrose or sex "wanting", guided by available cues. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CeA or BLA DAMGO enhancement of cue-triggered "wanting" was assessed using Pavlovian to instrumental transfer (PIT). Unconditioned food "wanting" was measured via intake, and male sexual "wanting" for an estrous female was measured in a sexual approach test. Sucrose hedonic taste "liking" was measured in a taste reactivity test. RESULTS: CeA (but not BLA) DAMGO increased the intensity of phasic peaks in instrumental sucrose seeking stimulated by Pavlovian cues over precue levels in PIT, while suppressing seeking at other moments. CeA DAMGO also enhanced food intake, as well as sexual approach and investigation of an estrous female by males. DAMGO "wanting" enhancements were localized to CeA, as indicated by "Fos plume"-based anatomical maps for DAMGO causation of behavioral effects. Despite increasing "wanting", CeA DAMGO decreased the hedonic impact or "liking" for sucrose in a taste reactivity paradigm. CONCLUSIONS: CeA μ-opioid stimulation specifically enhances incentive salience, which is dynamically guided to food or sex by available cues.
RATIONALE: Amygdala-related circuitry helps translate learned Pavlovian associations into appetitive and aversive motivation, especially upon subsequent encounters with cues. OBJECTIVES: We asked whether μ-opioid stimulation via microinjections of the specific agonist D-Ala(2), N-MePhe(4), Gly-ol)-enkephalin (DAMGO) in central nucleus of amygdala (CeA), or the adjacent basolateral amygdala (BLA) would magnify sucrose or sex "wanting", guided by available cues. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CeA or BLA DAMGO enhancement of cue-triggered "wanting" was assessed using Pavlovian to instrumental transfer (PIT). Unconditioned food "wanting" was measured via intake, and male sexual "wanting" for an estrous female was measured in a sexual approach test. Sucrose hedonic taste "liking" was measured in a taste reactivity test. RESULTS: CeA (but not BLA) DAMGO increased the intensity of phasic peaks in instrumental sucrose seeking stimulated by Pavlovian cues over precue levels in PIT, while suppressing seeking at other moments. CeA DAMGO also enhanced food intake, as well as sexual approach and investigation of an estrous female by males. DAMGO "wanting" enhancements were localized to CeA, as indicated by "Fos plume"-based anatomical maps for DAMGO causation of behavioral effects. Despite increasing "wanting", CeA DAMGO decreased the hedonic impact or "liking" for sucrose in a taste reactivity paradigm. CONCLUSIONS: CeA μ-opioid stimulation specifically enhances incentive salience, which is dynamically guided to food or sex by available cues.
Authors: Maeng-Hee Kang-Park; Brigitte L Kieffer; Amanda J Roberts; Marisa Roberto; Samuel G Madamba; George Robert Siggins; Scott D Moore Journal: J Pharmacol Exp Ther Date: 2008-10-14 Impact factor: 4.030
Authors: Nina T Lichtenberg; Zachary T Pennington; Sandra M Holley; Venuz Y Greenfield; Carlos Cepeda; Michael S Levine; Kate M Wassum Journal: J Neurosci Date: 2017-07-25 Impact factor: 6.167
Authors: P Kumar; L H Berghorst; L D Nickerson; S J Dutra; F K Goer; D N Greve; D A Pizzagalli Journal: Neuroscience Date: 2014-02-07 Impact factor: 3.590
Authors: O Chelnokova; B Laeng; M Eikemo; J Riegels; G Løseth; H Maurud; F Willoch; S Leknes Journal: Mol Psychiatry Date: 2014-02-11 Impact factor: 15.992
Authors: Sarah L Ferri; Arati S Kreibich; Matthew Torre; Cara T Piccoli; Holly Dow; Ashley A Pallathra; Hongzhe Li; Warren B Bilker; Ruben C Gur; Ted Abel; Edward S Brodkin Journal: Neuroscience Date: 2016-08-09 Impact factor: 3.590