Inactivation of the interoceptive insula disrupts drug craving and malaise induced by lithium

Contreras M.; Ceric F.; Torrealba, F.

Abstract

Addiction profoundly alters motivational circuits so that drugs become powerful reinforcers of behavior. The interoceptive system continuously updates homeostatic and emotional information that are important elements in motivational decisions. We tested the idea that interoceptive information is essential in drug craving and in the behavioral signs of malaise. We inactivated the primary interoceptive cortex in amphetamine-experienced rats, which prevented the urge to seek amphetamine in a place preference task. Interoceptive insula inactivation also blunted the signs of malaise induced by acute lithium administration. Drug-seeking and malaise both induced Fos expression, a marker of neuronal activation, in the insula. We conclude that the insular cortex is a key structure in the perception of bodily needs that provides direction to motivated behaviors.

Más información

Título según WOS: Inactivation of the interoceptive insula disrupts drug craving and malaise induced by lithium
Título según SCOPUS: Inactivation of the interoceptive insula disrupts drug craving and malaise induced by lithium
Título de la Revista: SCIENCE
Volumen: 318
Número: 5850
Editorial: AMER ASSOC ADVANCEMENT SCIENCE
Fecha de publicación: 2007
Página de inicio: 655
Página final: 658
Idioma: English
URL: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/doi/10.1126/science.1145590
DOI:

10.1126/science.1145590

Notas: ISI, SCOPUS