The melanin-concentrating hormone system modulates cocaine reward

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0811331106
• Publication Date: 2009-04-03T01:10:40Z
• Authors: Shinjae Chung; F. Woodward Hopf; Hiroshi Nagasaki; Chun-Ying Li; James D. Belluzzi; Antonello Bonci; Olivier Civelli
• Keywords: Melanin-concentrating hormone; Conditioned place preference; Brain stimulation reward; Lateral hypothalamus

Drug addiction is mediated by complex neuronal processes that converge on the shell of nucleus accumbens (NAcSh). The NAcSh receives inputs from lateral hypothalamus (LH), where self-stimulation can be induced. Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) produced mainly in LH, and its receptor (MCH1R) highly expressed NAcSh. We found that, NAcSh, MCH1R coexpressed with dopamine receptors (D1R D2R), MCH increases spike firing when both D1R D2R are activated. Also, injecting potentiates cocaine-induced hyperactivity mice. Mice lacking exhibit decreased conditioned place preference, as well cocaine sensitization. Using a specific antagonist, we further show acute blockade system not only reduces self-administration, but also attenuates cue- reinstatement. Thus, has an important modulatory role reward reinforcement potentiating dopaminergic which may provide new rationale for treating addiction.