Optogenetically-induced tonic dopamine release from VTA-nucleus accumbens projections inhibits reward consummatory behaviors

Neuroscience. 2016 Oct 1:333:54-64. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2016.07.006. Epub 2016 Jul 13.

Abstract

Recent optogenetic studies demonstrated that phasic dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens may play a causal role in multiple aspects of natural and drug reward-related behaviors. The role of tonic dopamine release in reward consummatory behavior remains unclear. The current study used a combinatorial viral-mediated gene delivery approach to express ChR2 on mesolimbic dopamine neurons in rats. We used optical activation of this dopamine circuit to mimic tonic dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens and to explore the causal relationship between this form of dopamine signaling within the ventral tegmental area (VTA)-nucleus accumbens projection and consumption of a natural reward. Using a two bottle choice paradigm (sucrose vs. water), the experiments revealed that tonic optogenetic stimulation of mesolimbic dopamine transmission significantly decreased reward consummatory behaviors. Specifically, there was a significant decrease in the number of bouts, licks and amount of sucrose obtained during the drinking session. Notably, activation of VTA dopamine cell bodies or dopamine terminals in the nucleus accumbens resulted in identical behavioral consequences. No changes in water intake were evident under the same experimental conditions. Collectively, these data demonstrate that tonic optogenetic stimulation of VTA-nucleus accumbens dopamine release is sufficient to inhibit reward consummatory behavior, possibly by preventing this circuit from engaging in phasic activity that is thought to be essential for reward-based behaviors.

Keywords: VTA; nucleus accumbens; optogenetics; reward; tonic dopamine.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Choice Behavior / physiology
  • Consummatory Behavior / physiology
  • Dietary Sucrose
  • Dopamine / metabolism*
  • Dopaminergic Neurons / cytology
  • Dopaminergic Neurons / metabolism
  • Drinking Water
  • Electric Stimulation
  • Feeding Behavior / physiology*
  • Feeding Behavior / psychology
  • Male
  • Nucleus Accumbens / cytology
  • Nucleus Accumbens / metabolism*
  • Optogenetics*
  • Periodicity
  • Rats, Long-Evans
  • Reward*
  • Ventral Tegmental Area / metabolism*

Substances

  • Dietary Sucrose
  • Drinking Water
  • Dopamine