Acetylcholine release in ventral tegmental area by hypothalamic self- stimulation, eating, and drinking

Pedro V. Rada, Gregory P. Mark, John J. Yeomans, Bartley G. Hoebel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

96 Scopus citations

Abstract

Evidence is presented for an acetylcholine (ACh) input to the midbrain ventral tegmental area (VTA) as part of a system for self-stimulation and ingestive behavior. Male rats were prepared with an electrode in the perifornical lateral hypothalamus and an ipsilateral guideshaft for microdialysis in the VTA. Extracellular ACh increased in the VTA during self- stimulation, auto-stimulation, eating, or drinking. Infusion of atropine into the VTA via the microdialysis probe was sufficient to stop self-stimulation and reduce intake of food. It is concluded that ACh acts at muscarinic receptors in the VTA as part of a circuit that modulates hypothalamic self- stimulation and ingestive behavior. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)375-379
Number of pages5
JournalPharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior
Volume65
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2000

Keywords

  • Acetylcholine release
  • Drinking
  • Eating
  • Self-stimulation
  • Ventral tegmental area

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Toxicology
  • Pharmacology
  • Clinical Biochemistry
  • Biological Psychiatry
  • Behavioral Neuroscience

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