VU0155041, a positive allosteric modulator of mGluR4, in the nucleus accumbens facilitates extinction and inhibits the reinstatement of morphine-induced conditioned place preference in male rats

Nucleus accumbens (NAc) neurons appear to be at the hub of the reward circuit. New evidence suggests that the behavioural effects of morphine substances may be significantly regulated by glutamate-mediated transmission, notably by metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors. Here, we examined the hypothesis that the mGlu4 receptor within that NAc has a role in the extinction and reinstatement of morphine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP). The animals received bilaterally microinjections of VU0155041, a positive allosteric modulator (PAM) and partial agonist of mGlu4 receptor, into the NAc. In Experiment 1, the rats received VU0155041 (10, 30 and 50 mu g/0.5 mu L) during the extinction period. In Experiment 2, the CPP extinguished rats received VU0155041 (10, 30 and 50 mu g/0.5 mu L) five minutes prior to the administration of morphine (1 mg/kg) in order to reinstate the extinguished CPP. The results showed that the intra-accumbal administration of VU0155041 reduced the extinction period of CPP. Furthermore, the administration of VU0155041 into the NAc dose-dependently inhibited the reinstatement of CPP. The findings suggested that the mGluR4 in the NAc facilitates the extinc-tion and inhibits the reinstatement of the morphine-induced CPP, which could be mediated by an increase in the release of extracellular glutamate.

Automated summary

Nucleus accumbens (NAc) neurons play a critical role in reward circuitry, and new evidence suggests that mGlu4 receptors in NAc are involved in the regulation of morphine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) through glutamate-mediated transmission.