Influence of 5 HT2c serotoninergic receptor in the nucleus accumbens in the behavioral sensitization to the stimulant effect of ethanol.

• Grant number: 08/07203-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: March 01, 2009
• End date: August 31, 2010
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Pharmacology - Neuropsychopharmacology
• Principal Investigator: Maria Lucia Oliveira de Souza Formigoni
• Grantee: André Luiz Monezi Andrade
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The behavioral sensitization to stimulant effect of ethanol seems to contribute for the establishment and maintenance of motivational and behavioral process linked with alcoholism. It is well known that the stimulant effect of ethanol is linked to increased activity of dopaminergic neurons within mesolimbic and mesocortical pathways, being this process modulated by serotonin, wich seems to have an important function in the process of behavioral sensitization. Some authors suggest that the 5 HT2c receptor is involved in the modulation of dopamine release in mesolimbic and mesocortical pathways, involving both the tegmentar ventral area and the nucleus accumbens. The peripheral administration of 5 HT2c antagonist can reduce ethanol intake in many models of consumption, besides blocking the development and the expression behavioral sensitization to stimulant effect of ethanol. However, there is a lack of data supporting the benefit of 5 HT2c antagonist administered directly in the vental tegmental area and nucleus accumbens. The aim of this study is to evaluate the function 5 HT2c antagonist in nucleus accumbens on the expression of behavioral sensitization to stimulant effect of ethanol. Initially the animals will be treated chronically with ethanol (2.2g/Kg) or saline and classified by the level of development sensitization. In the next phase, the animals will be submitted to surgery proceeding to implantation of canula at nucleus accumbens. After their recuperation period, the animals will receive, 48 h apart, a 5HT2c antagonist dose (SB 242084) (doses: 0.1 sg/side, 0.5 sg/side and 1 sg/side). Depending on the observed effect, one dose will be chosen and administered together with ethanol (2.2g/Kg). In all challenges the locomotor activity of all animals will be evaluated.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

ANDRADE, A. L. M.; ABRAHAO, K. P.; GOELDNER, F. O.; SOUZA-FORMIGONI, M. L. O.. ADMINISTRATION OF THE 5-HT2C RECEPTOR ANTAGONIST SB-242084 INTO THE NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS BLOCKS THE EXPRESSION OF ETHANOL-INDUCED BEHAVIORAL SENSITIZATION IN ALBINO SWISS MICE. Neuroscience, v. 189, p. 178-186, AUG 25 2011. (08/07203-6)