Cocaine Reward and Locomotion Stimulation in Mice with Reduced Dopamine Transporter Expression
Author Information
Author(s): Tilley Michael R, Cagniard Barbara, Zhuang Xiaoxi, Han Dawn D, Tiao Narry, Gu Howard H
Primary Institution: The Ohio State University College of Medicine
Hypothesis
How does elevated dopaminergic tone affect how mice respond to cocaine?
Conclusion
A reduction in DAT expression and elevation of dopaminergic tone do not lead to adaptive changes that abolish the rewarding and stimulating effects of cocaine.
Supporting Evidence
- Cocaine produced reward in DAT-KD mice despite a dramatic reduction of DAT expression.
- DAT-KD mice displayed higher basal locomotor activity than wild type mice.
- Both 5 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg cocaine significantly increased the time spent in the cocaine-paired chamber by both wild type and DAT-KD mice.
Takeaway
Mice with less dopamine transporter still feel the effects of cocaine, showing that you don't need a lot of the transporter to feel its reward.
Methodology
The study compared cocaine-induced behaviors in DAT-KD mice and wild type mice using locomotion tests and conditioned place preference tests.
Participant Demographics
Only male mice between 10 and 14 weeks of age were used.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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