Fe. Pontieri et al., Effects of intra-VTA injection of neurotensin on local cerebral glucose utilization in freely moving rats, PEPTIDES, 21(11), 2000, pp. 1751-1753
The [C-14]2-deoxyglucose method was applied to measure the effects of the i
njection of neurotensin (7 mug) in the ventral tegmental area on local cere
bral glucose utilization in the rat. Injection of neurotensin produced sign
ificant increases of glucose utilization in the shell of the nucleus accumb
ens and in the olfactory tubercle. These results indicate that stimulation
of neurotensin receptors in the ventral tegmental area produces functional
changes that are confined to the regions receiving mesolimbic projections w
ithin the rostral extended amygdaloid complex. These findings extend our un
derstanding on the effects of neurotensin in the limbic system, with partic
ular regard to reward pathways. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science Inc.