Differential effect of viral overexpression of nucleus accumbens shell 5-HT1B receptors on stress- and cocaine priming-induced reinstatement of cocaine seeking

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5-HT1B receptors are densely expressed on terminals of medium spiny neurons projecting from the nucleus accumbens shell (NAccSh) to the ventral tegmental area, where 5-HT1B receptors modulate GABA release directly, and firing of dopaminergic neurons indirectly. While interactions between NAccSh 5-HT1B receptors and stress have been reported in early stages of psychostimulant-induced neuroadaptations, specifically psychomotor sensitization, the effect of this interaction on later stages of drug seeking is currently unknown. Here, we examined the effect of herpes simplex virus (HSV)-mediated overexpression of NAccSh 5-HT1B receptors on reinstatement of cocaine seeking induced by exposure to stress or a cocaine prime. Rats were trained to self-administer cocaine (0.75mg/kg/infusion) and the operant response was extinguished. Rats were then injected with viral vector expressing 5-HT1B and green fluorescent protein (GFP) or GFP alone into the NAccSh. The effect of 5-HT1B receptor overexpression was assessed on reinstatement induced by intermittent footshock (0.5mA for 15min) or a cocaine prime (10mg/kg, ip). Results indicate that NAccSh 5-HT1B receptor overexpression had no effect on footshock reinstatement while significantly decreasing cocaine priming-induced reinstatement. We also found that NAccSh overexpression of 5-HT1B receptors had no effect on saccharin intake following social defeat stress. These results suggest that the efficacy of pharmacological agents targeting 5-HT1B receptors for the treatment of cocaine relapse will depend largely on the nature of the reinstating stimulus. Taken together with previous results, it appears that NAccSh 5-HT1B receptors influence stress responses in early, but not in the later stages of psychostimulant-induced neuroadaptations.