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- Title
Methylphenidate facilitates learning-induced amygdala plasticity.
- Authors
Tye, Kay M; Tye, Lynne D; Cone, Jackson J; Hekkelman, Evelien F; Janak, Patricia H; Bonci, Antonello
- Abstract
Although methylphenidate (Ritalin) has been used therapeutically for nearly 60 years, the mechanisms by which it acutely modifies behavioral performance are poorly understood. Here we combined intra-lateral amygdala in vivo pharmacology and ex vivo electrophysiology to show that acute administration of methylphenidate, as well as a selective dopamine transporter inhibitor, facilitated learning-induced strengthening of cortico-amygdala synapses through a postsynaptic increase in AMPA receptor-mediated currents, relative to those in saline-treated rats. Furthermore, local administration of methylphenidate in the lateral amygdala enhanced cue-reward learning through dopamine D1 receptor-dependent mechanisms and suppressed task-irrelevant behavior through D2 receptor-dependent mechanisms. These findings reveal critical and distinct roles for dopamine receptor subtypes in mediating methylphenidate-induced enhancements of neural transmission and learning performance.
- Publication
Nature neuroscience, 2010, Vol 13, Issue 4, p475
- ISSN
1546-1726
- Publication type
Journal Article
- DOI
10.1038/nn.2506