Alcohol Preference Influences the Subthalamic Nucleus Control on Motivation for Alcohol in Rats

Abstract

In addition to its role in motor and attentional processes, the subthalamic nucleus (STN) has also been recently demonstrated to be involved in motivational function. Indeed, bilateral STN lesions modulate differentially the motivation for natural rewards and drugs of abuse, increasing motivation for food and decreasing motivation for cocaine in rats. Here, we show that in outbred rats, the STN can modulate the motivation for alcohol according to alcohol preference, without affecting alcohol intake. When performed on 'HighDrinker' rats, STN lesions enhanced the breaking point (BP) under a progressive ratio schedule of reinforcement and increased the time spent in the environment previously paired with alcohol access in the place preference paradigm. In contrast, when performed on 'Low-Drinker' rats, STN lesions decreased the BP and increased the time spent in the environment paired with water. These results show that STN lesions enhance the motivation for alcohol in rats showing a high alcohol preference, whereas they decrease it in rats showing a low preference for alcohol. These results suggest that the STN plays a complex role in the reward circuit, that is not limited to a dissociation between motivation for natural rewards and drugs of abuse, but takes other factors, such as alcohol preference, into account.

Surgical Strategies for Parkinson’s Disease Based on Animal Model Data: GPi and STN Inactivation on Various Aspects of Behavior (Motor, Cognitive and Motivational Processes)

“…In contrast to these results, we found the opposite effects when the reward was cocaine, highlighting a possible role for STN to modulate the reactivity of the reward system with regard to the nature of the reward involved [62]. In a recent study testing the effects of STN lesions on motivation for alcohol, we have further shown that STN lesions could also affect motivation in an opposite manner depending on the initial preference of the animals for the reward [63]. Although there are no data available of STN manipulation on motivation in animal models of PD, these results are in line with some clinical observations in PD patients after STN DBS reporting craving for sweet food in some cases or decreased addictive behavior toward dopaminergic treatment [65].…”

“…We have shown that whatever the internal state of the animals (deprived or sated) or the reward (standard animal food, palatable food, alcohol or i.v. injection of cocaine), STN lesions do not affect the consummatory processes [61][62][63] (Fig. 22.9).…”

“…The current interest for motivational and emotional effects of STN DBS in PD patients reflects also the recent interest for these processes in animal models. Effects of STN lesions on motivation for food, cocaine and alcohol in high drinkers and low drinkers [62][63]. The performance illustrated here relates to willingness to work for the given reward in a progressive ratio schedule of reinforcement.…”

Reducing the desire for cocaine with subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation

“…1C), but significantly increased the number of lever presses during the inactive period immediately following an injection (i.e., perseverative lever presses) [F (1,18) = 0.04 (ns) and 5.75, P < 0.05 for infusions and perseverative lever presses, respectively]. Consistent with the effects of bilateral STN lesions on motivation for food, cocaine, or alcohol (11,17,18), STN DBS did not affect the consummatory processes for either food or cocaine when the behavioral cost to obtain the reward is low.…”

Effect of prenatal stress on alcohol preference and sensitivity to chronic alcohol exposure in male rats

“…The permanent elimination of FosB gene products does not alter alcohol intake but enhances the preference for sweet solution in mice (Korkosz et al 2004). Several experimental procedures, such as a lesion of the subthalamic nucleus, have been shown to increase motivation for alcohol in a self-administration paradigm without impacting alcohol intake (Lardeux and Baunez 2008). In this context, it would be important to examine the motivation for alcohol in an operant paradigm (using a progressive ratio schedule) in PRS animals (Campbell et al 2009).…”