CART peptide increases the mesolimbic dopaminergic neuronal activity: a microdialysis study.

摘要

The effects of cocaine-and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) peptide on extracellular concentrations of dopamine metabolites, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA), in the shell region of the nucleus accumbens (AcbSh) were determined by microdialysis in conscious rats. Intracerebroventricular injections of various doses (0.1-5 microg/5 microl/rat) of CART(55-102) elicited dose-dependent increases of extracellular DOPAC and HVA concentration in the AcbSh, suggesting that CART(55-102) peptide has a psychostimulant-like effect via activation of the mesolimbic dopaminergic system.