PSYCHOSTIMULANT DRUGS INCREASE GLUCOSE-UTILIZATION IN THE SHELL OF THE RAT NUCLEUS-ACCUMBENS

THE nucleus accumbens (NAc) is a heterogeneous area, divided into a 's hell' and a 'core' on the basis of morphological and histochemical cri teria. Moreover, the two portions have different anatomical connection s. In order to test whether the two portions of NAc are functionally d istinct, we measured local cerebral glucose utilization in rats admini stered intravenously with cocaine (1 mg kg(-1)) or amphetamine (0.5 mg kg(-1)). The results of the study show that, at these dosages, both d rugs increase glucose utilization in the shell, but not in the core of NAc. This differential effect might reflect functional differences be tween the two portions of NAc, probably relevant to the abuse liabilit y of psychostimulants.