Differential Effects Of Mpep+Jnj-16259685 Microinjections Into The Vta On Cocaine-Induced Locomotor Sensitization In Saline-Exposed Rats And Rats With Repeated Traumatic Predator Odor Exposure (Tmt)

Konnor McDowell

School Name

Governor's School for Science and Math

Grade Level

12th Grade

Presentation Topic

Physiology and Health

Presentation Type

Mentored

Mentor

Mentor: Dr. Riegel; Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina

Oral Presentation Award

3rd Place

Abstract

Cocaine is the second most commonly used illegal drug in the United States [NIDA]. The National Institute on Drug Abuse has shown that cocaine users have a sixty one percent chance of relapse after their first administration of cocaine. Lab animals exhibit a similar chance of relapse, and also display an increased rate of horizontal activity [Kauer et al., 2007]. This increase of horizontal activity, called sensitization, is thought to be due to neurobiological changes in the mesocorticolimbic system, as seen by tonic to phasic neuronal firing from the ventral tegmental area [Chen et al., 2015]. Stress is also hypothesized to increase locomotor sensitization to cocaine [Kauer et al., 2007]. In an attempt to decrease the locomotor sensitization to cocaine over time, two groups of rats were subjected to MPEP+JNJ-16259685, a solution of mGlur antagonists. The two groups of rats consisted of a saline exposed group and a group exposed to trimethylthiazoline, which was used to stimulate corticotrophin releasing factors. The group of animals exposed to trimethylthiazoline were then separated into sub-groups depending on their interaction with the filter paper; the subgroups being aggressive interaction (shredders) and passive interaction (non-shredders). A visual, but statistically insignificant, reduction in horizontal activity in all groups of animals was observed on the day of the injection of our vehicle. It is anticipated that additional trials with a larger sample size will result in a statistically significant effect.

Location

Owens 107

Start Date

4-16-2016 9:45 AM

COinS
 
Apr 16th, 9:45 AM

Differential Effects Of Mpep+Jnj-16259685 Microinjections Into The Vta On Cocaine-Induced Locomotor Sensitization In Saline-Exposed Rats And Rats With Repeated Traumatic Predator Odor Exposure (Tmt)

Owens 107

Cocaine is the second most commonly used illegal drug in the United States [NIDA]. The National Institute on Drug Abuse has shown that cocaine users have a sixty one percent chance of relapse after their first administration of cocaine. Lab animals exhibit a similar chance of relapse, and also display an increased rate of horizontal activity [Kauer et al., 2007]. This increase of horizontal activity, called sensitization, is thought to be due to neurobiological changes in the mesocorticolimbic system, as seen by tonic to phasic neuronal firing from the ventral tegmental area [Chen et al., 2015]. Stress is also hypothesized to increase locomotor sensitization to cocaine [Kauer et al., 2007]. In an attempt to decrease the locomotor sensitization to cocaine over time, two groups of rats were subjected to MPEP+JNJ-16259685, a solution of mGlur antagonists. The two groups of rats consisted of a saline exposed group and a group exposed to trimethylthiazoline, which was used to stimulate corticotrophin releasing factors. The group of animals exposed to trimethylthiazoline were then separated into sub-groups depending on their interaction with the filter paper; the subgroups being aggressive interaction (shredders) and passive interaction (non-shredders). A visual, but statistically insignificant, reduction in horizontal activity in all groups of animals was observed on the day of the injection of our vehicle. It is anticipated that additional trials with a larger sample size will result in a statistically significant effect.