Stress and addiction: glucocorticoid receptor in dopaminoceptive neurons facilitates cocaine seeking

Nat Neurosci. 2009 Mar;12(3):247-9. doi: 10.1038/nn.2282. Epub 2009 Feb 22.

Abstract

The glucocorticoid receptor is a ubiquitous transcription factor mediating adaptation to environmental challenges and stress. Selective Nr3c1 (the glucocorticoid receptor gene) ablation in mouse dopaminoceptive neurons expressing dopamine receptor 1a, but not in dopamine-releasing neurons, markedly decreased the motivation of mice to self-administer cocaine, dopamine cell firing and the control exerted by dopaminoceptive neurons on dopamine cell firing activity. In contrast, anxiety was unaffected, indicating that glucocorticoid receptors modify a number of behavioral disorders through different neuronal populations.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Behavior, Addictive / genetics
  • Behavior, Addictive / metabolism*
  • Behavior, Addictive / psychology
  • Cocaine / administration & dosage*
  • Cocaine / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Cocaine-Related Disorders / genetics
  • Cocaine-Related Disorders / metabolism
  • Cocaine-Related Disorders / psychology
  • Dopamine / metabolism
  • Dopamine / physiology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Neurons / physiology*
  • Receptors, Dopamine D1 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptors, Dopamine D1 / metabolism
  • Receptors, Glucocorticoid / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptors, Glucocorticoid / biosynthesis
  • Receptors, Glucocorticoid / genetics
  • Receptors, Glucocorticoid / physiology*
  • Self Administration
  • Stress, Psychological / genetics
  • Stress, Psychological / metabolism*
  • Stress, Psychological / psychology

Substances

  • NR3C1 protein, human
  • Receptors, Dopamine D1
  • Receptors, Glucocorticoid
  • Cocaine
  • Dopamine