Issn Print: 0955-8810
Publication Date: 2005/09/01
O11 ICER OVEREXPRESSION IN THE NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS INCREASES BEHAVIORAL RESPONSES TO AMPHETAMINE
T.A. Green; R.L. Neve; I.N. Alibhai; E.J. Nestler
+ Author Information
Author Information: Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
Excerpt
Prior work using transgenic mouse models and viral-mediated gene transfer has shown that overexpression of transcription factors can alter responsiveness to drugs of abuse. Further, drugs of abuse affect expression and activation of transcription factors. Thus, transcriptional mechanisms are attractive targets for the study of drug addiction. The present studies first examine the effect of amphetamine on mRNA of transcription factors from the CREB (cAMP response element binding protein) family. Results show that ICER (inducible cAMP early repressor), an inhibitory transcription factor of the CREB family, is strongly induced by amphetamine administration. Second, these studies examine the effects of ICER on behavioral responses to amphetamine in rats. Results show that ICER overexpression in the nucleus accumbens increased sensitivity to the locomotor stimulant effect of amphetamine. These results suggest that ICER plays an important role in transcriptional and behavioral responses to amphetamine. Ongoing studies are also investigating the effect of ICER overexpression on amphetamine-induced conditioned place preference.
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