EWU Digital Commons - 2025 Symposium: Investigation Into Potential Nicotine Effects on Dopamine Signaling in the Ventral Striatum of Sprague-Dawley Rats
 

Investigation Into Potential Nicotine Effects on Dopamine Signaling in the Ventral Striatum of Sprague-Dawley Rats

Faculty Mentor

David Daberkow

Presentation Type

Poster

Start Date

May 2025

End Date

May 2025

Location

PUB NCR

Primary Discipline of Presentation

Biology

Abstract

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter in the brain primarily associated with feelings of reward and pleasure. To explore the effects of dopamine, this project focuses on the use of nicotine, a highly addictive compound found in tobacco products. Much of the research surrounding in vitro research has resulted in increased dopamine signaling in response to stimulation. Some research, however, suggests just the opposite, revealing a decrease in dopamine signaling. The purpose of our research was to better understand this dichotomy especially in the ventral striatum, building on the efforts of previous studies focusing on the dorsal striatum which showed a decrease in dopamine in response to nicotine. Our route to understanding dopamine’s activity relied on the use of fast-cyclic voltammetry in conjunction with the use of anesthetized in vivo rats to better understand nicotine’s effects on dopamine signaling, specifically in the nucleus accumbens of the ventral striatum. Electrodes were constructed using carbon fiber and silicon for signal conduction. Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized with urethane, and electrodes were surgically implanted. Fast-scan cyclic voltammetry recorded dopamine signaling, with electrical stimulation applied to the medial forebrain bundle after saline or nicotine injection. Control data of dopamine signaling through a saline treatment was observed; however, we encountered several issues when injecting nicotine, compounded with technical difficulties, which led to being unable to collect significant data. Due to no produced data from nicotine treatment, the opportunity for further research remains open. A longer study employing similar scientific methods could yield more revealing and comprehensive results.

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May 7th, 11:30 AM May 7th, 1:30 PM

Investigation Into Potential Nicotine Effects on Dopamine Signaling in the Ventral Striatum of Sprague-Dawley Rats

PUB NCR

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter in the brain primarily associated with feelings of reward and pleasure. To explore the effects of dopamine, this project focuses on the use of nicotine, a highly addictive compound found in tobacco products. Much of the research surrounding in vitro research has resulted in increased dopamine signaling in response to stimulation. Some research, however, suggests just the opposite, revealing a decrease in dopamine signaling. The purpose of our research was to better understand this dichotomy especially in the ventral striatum, building on the efforts of previous studies focusing on the dorsal striatum which showed a decrease in dopamine in response to nicotine. Our route to understanding dopamine’s activity relied on the use of fast-cyclic voltammetry in conjunction with the use of anesthetized in vivo rats to better understand nicotine’s effects on dopamine signaling, specifically in the nucleus accumbens of the ventral striatum. Electrodes were constructed using carbon fiber and silicon for signal conduction. Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized with urethane, and electrodes were surgically implanted. Fast-scan cyclic voltammetry recorded dopamine signaling, with electrical stimulation applied to the medial forebrain bundle after saline or nicotine injection. Control data of dopamine signaling through a saline treatment was observed; however, we encountered several issues when injecting nicotine, compounded with technical difficulties, which led to being unable to collect significant data. Due to no produced data from nicotine treatment, the opportunity for further research remains open. A longer study employing similar scientific methods could yield more revealing and comprehensive results.