Orexin system in the ventral tegmental area is implicated in the rewarding properties of methamphetamine

Abstract

Overwhelming evidence has revealed that the orexins (OXs) and their receptors in the mesolimbic system participate in modulating psychostimulants and rewarding impacts. The current study aimed to elucidate the role of OX receptors in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) in the acquisition and expression phases of methamphetamine (METH)-induced conditioned place preference (CPP). In the first set of experiments, animals bilaterally received OX receptor 1 (SB 334867) or OX receptor 2 (TCS OX2 29) antagonist (1, 3, 10, and 30 nmol/0.3 μL DMSO 12%) in the VTA before each METH session over the acquisition phase to evaluate the role of OX receptors in the acquisition of METH-induced CPP. In the next set of experiments, animals bilaterally received antagonists at the same doses in the VTA before the post-conditioning test to illustrate the role of OX receptors in the expression of METH-induced CPP. Current data demonstrated that administering both antagonists in the VTA diminished both acquisition and expression phases of METH-induced CPP. However, the suppressive effects of both OX receptor antagonists were more potent in the acquisition phase of METH-CPP than those in the expression phase. Overall, it seems that the OX receptors in the VTA are implicated in developing the rewarding properties of METH.