Reward Pathway in Brain and Alcohol Dependence: A Co-Relation Study in Wistar Rats to Show the Effect on Brain Dopamine, Dihydrophenylacetic Acid (DOPAC) and Homovanilic Acid (HVA)
Journal Title: Journal of Medical Science And clinical Research - Year 2017, Vol 5, Issue 4
Abstract
Humans, as well as other organisms engage in behaviors that are rewarding. The pleasurable feelings provide positive reinforcement so that the behavior is repeated. Each of the naturally rewarded behaviors is required for the survival of the species, so the reward pathway is a crucial part of the brain, as well as a key in understanding addictions. The major part of reward pathway is the ventral tegmental area (VTA). The neurons of the VTA contain the neurotransmitter dopamine which is released in the nucleus accumbens. This pathway is activated by a rewarding stimulus. Dopamine is released particularly in areas such as the nucleus accumbens and prefrontal cortex by naturally rewarding experiences such as food, drugs, and neutral stimuli that become associated with them. Dopamine is also a neurohormone released by the hypothalamus. Dopamine is commonly associated with the pleasure system of the brain, providing feelings of enjoyment and reinforcement to motivate a person to perform certain activities. Chemical or surgical interruption of this dopaminergic pathway impairs drug seeking behavior in many experimental situations. Deletion of D2 dopamine receptors in transgenic mouse strain eliminated the reward properties of morphine administration. Dopaminergic antagonist, like Quetiapine and Olanzapine were studied as new pharmacotherapy for treating alcohol dependence by analysing dopamine level in rat brain homogenate using HPLC. Analysis of dopamine level in rat brain homogenate using HPLC showed that the peak area of olanzapine and quetiapine group was 94.94mV.s and 147.9mV.s respectively which is less than peak area of alcohol 190.69mV.s. This indicates that alcohol abusestimulates the reward pathway which increases the level of dopamine in ventral tegmental area of the brain which is antagonised by dopamine antagonists.Since dopamine plays an important role in alcohol dependence (positive reinforcement), D2 dopaminergic antagonists like Quetiapine and Olanzapine provides a new role in pharmacotherapy of alcohol dependence and alcohol withdrawal.
Authors and Affiliations
Janki Malli
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP284379
- DOI -
- Views 39
- Downloads 0
Current Spectrum of Dermatophytosis in a Tertiary Care Hospital of North India – A 6-Year Clinico-Mycological Study
Dermatophytosis is a common infection of skin, hair and nails caused by Trichophyton, Microsporum and Epidermophyton species. The incidence in a particular region varies with population migration, culture and environment...
Pregnancy in Head Injury: Friend or Foe? A Proposed Guideline for the Management of Head Injury in Pregnancy
Objectives:- Even mild, head injury during pregnancy can threaten either the maternal or the fetal life. The risk is associated with systemic and cerebral consequences of rapid expanding mass lesion, high intracranial pr...
CMV Infection in Patients with Profound Hearing Loss
Our aim was to find out the prevalence of cytomegalovirus infection among the TORCH (toxoplasma, rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex) infections in children with profound sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). Our study...
Deteriorating Lung Functions in Traffic Police Working in Amravati Science last three years
Exposure to environmental pollutants can have effects on lungs. A source of air pollution contains different type of gases (hydrocarbons, Carbon monoxide, Lead, Nitrogen oxides) due to by vehicular exhaust due to increas...
Guillain Barre Syndrome in Pregnancy- A Rare Case Report
In pregnancy, Guillain Barre syndrome (GBS) is rare with an estimated incidence of 1.2-1.9 per one lakh annually1 . It is the most common cause of acute flaccid paralysis affecting all age groups2 . It can be associated...