Source Paper
Dopamine Release in the Dorsal Striatum during Cocaine-Seeking Behavior under the Control of a Drug-Associated Cue
Rutsuko Ito, Jeffrey W. Dalley, Trevor W. Robbins, Barry J. Everitt
Journal of Neuroscience • 2002
Contingent versus Non-contingent Cue Presentation Task
Objective: Investigate dopamine release in the dorsal striatum during cocaine-seeking behavior under the control of a drug-associated cue, comparing contingent versus non-contingent cue presentation
Gather these items before starting the experiment. Check off items as you prepare.
Equipment4
Materials1
Not specified • Not specified • Not specified • Not mentioned
Software1
Not specified • Not mentioned
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Protocol Steps
Initial cocaine self-administration training
Rats were trained to self-administer cocaine under a continuous reinforcement schedule where a response on one of two identical levers led to a 20 second presentation of a light CS+ and an intravenous cocaine infusion
Note: Continuous reinforcement schedule used initially
View evidence from paper
“Rats were initially trained to self-administer cocaine under a continuous reinforcement schedule where a response on one of two identical levers led to a 20 sec presentation of a light CS+ and an intravenous cocaine infusion (0.75 mg/kg)”
Progressive increase in response requirement
The response requirement for the CS+ and cocaine was progressively increased until stable responding was established under a second-order schedule of reinforcement
Note: Progression continued until stable responding achieved
View evidence from paper
“The response requirement for the CS+ and cocaine was then progressively increased until stable responding was established under a second-order schedule of reinforcement”
Microdialysis session with contingent cue presentation
During microdialysis, rats were presented with the cocaine-associated CS+ contingent on responding during a session of cocaine-seeking behavior
Note: Contingent presentation means cue appears only when rat responds
View evidence from paper
“During microdialysis, rats were presented with the cocaine-associated CS+ either noncontingently or contingent on responding during a session of cocaine-seeking behavior”
Microdialysis session with non-contingent cue presentation
During microdialysis, rats were presented with the cocaine-associated CS+ non-contingently during a session of cocaine-seeking behavior
Note: Non-contingent presentation means cue appears regardless of responding
View evidence from paper
“During microdialysis, rats were presented with the cocaine-associated CS+ either noncontingently or contingent on responding during a session of cocaine-seeking behavior”
Measure dopamine release
Dopamine release in the dorsal striatum was measured during both contingent and non-contingent cue presentation conditions
Note: Microdialysis was used to measure dopamine levels
View evidence from paper
“in vivo microdialysis in combination with a second-order schedule of cocaine reinforcement was used to investigate the role of the dorsal striatal dopamine innervation”