Parvalbumin Interneurons of the Mouse Nucleus Accumbens are Required For Amphetamine-Induced Locomotor Sensitization and Conditioned Place Preference

Neuropsychopharmacology. 2018 Apr;43(5):953-963. doi: 10.1038/npp.2017.178. Epub 2017 Aug 25.

Abstract

To determine the requirement for parvalbumin (PV) expressing GABAergic interneurons of the nucleus accumbens (NAc) in the behavioral adaptations induced by amphetamine (AMPH), we blocked synaptic vesicle release from these neurons using Cre-inducible viral expression of the tetanus toxin light chain in male and female PV-Cre mice. Silencing PV+ interneurons of the NAc selectively inhibited the expression of locomotor sensitization following repeated injections of AMPH and blocked AMPH-induced conditioned place preference (CPP). AMPH induced significantly more expression of the activity-dependent gene Fos in both D1 and D2 dopamine receptor-expressing medium spiny neurons (MSNs) of the NAc of PV+ interneuron silenced mice, suggesting a function for PV+ interneuron-mediated MSN inhibition in the expression of AMPH-induced locomotor sensitization and CPP. These data show a requirement for PV+ interneurons of the NAc in behavioral responses to AMPH, and they raise the possibility that modulation of PV+ interneuron function may alter the development or expression of psychostimulant-induced behavioral adaptations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Amphetamine / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Central Nervous System Sensitization / drug effects*
  • Conditioning, Psychological / drug effects*
  • Female
  • Genetic Vectors
  • Interneurons / drug effects*
  • Interneurons / metabolism
  • Locomotion / drug effects*
  • Male
  • Metalloendopeptidases / genetics
  • Mice
  • Nucleus Accumbens / cytology*
  • Nucleus Accumbens / drug effects
  • Parvalbumins / metabolism*
  • Tetanus Toxin / genetics

Substances

  • Parvalbumins
  • Tetanus Toxin
  • Amphetamine
  • Metalloendopeptidases
  • zinc-endopeptidase, tetanus neurotoxin