Different modifications of the dopamine metabolism in the core and shell parts of the nucleus accumbens following CCK-A receptor stimulation in the shell region.

After the injection of CCK8 into the posterior N. Acc. of rats DA, DOPAC HVA contents were determined from punches of the anterior and posterior N. Acc. and VTA. CCK8 (20 pmol/side) modified these levels only in the posterior N. Acc. and these responses were inhibited by the CCK-A antagonist devazepide. Five min after treatment, DA, DOPAC and HVA were increased in the N. Acc.shell and 10 min later they were decreased in the N. Acc.core. These data suggest that in these regions CCK8 could both abolish the influence of DA from the core on the transmission of motor information and favor that of DA from the shell on emotional-like responses.