Effect of Transient Inactivation of Ventral Tegmental Area on the Expression and Acquisition of Nicotine-Induced Conditioned Place Preference in Rats

Background: Nicotine can activate dopaminergic neurons within the ventral tegmental area (VTA). However, there is no evidence about complete inhibition of VTA on nicotine reinforcement. Methods: in the present study, we used conditioned-place preference (CPP) method to study the effect of transient inhibition of left and/or right side of the VTA by lidocaine on nicotine reward properties. Male Wistar rats seven days after recovery from surgery and cannulation were conditioned to nicotine (1.5 mg/kg) in an unbiased designed CPP apparatus. Five min before each nicotine injection in conditioning phase, lidocaine (2%) was administered either uni- or bi-laterally into the VTA (0.5µl/rat). Results: results revealed that lidocaine administration into the left but not right side of the VTA reduced nicotine CPP significantly. The reduction was potentiated when lidocaine injected in to both sides of the VTA. In addition, the number of compartment crossing was reduced when lidocaine injected in both side of VTA as well as left side. On the other hand, rearing was reduced when lidocaine injected to the right but not left side of VTA. At last, sniffing was reduced only in the group in which received lidocaine in both side of VTA. Sniffing and rearing increased in the group in which received lidocaine in right side. Conclusion: It is concluded that the right and left side of VTA play different role in nicotine-induced activity and reward. Iran. Biomed. J. 1