Figure 2.

Bilateral VTA perfusions of a CRF receptor antagonist attenuated stress-induced reinstatement of cocaine seeking (A) and the local release of glutamate (B) and dopamine (C). When the CRF antagonist α-helical CRF (α-H-CRF; 1 μm) was infused via bilateral dialysis probes 20 min before footshock, it attenuated footshock stress-induced reinstatement of responding on the previously active lever (n = 6). Perfusions of α-helical CRF attenuated footshock-induced increases in VTA glutamate and dopamine release. Basal glutamate and dopamine levels were 1747 ± 577 and 0.5 ± 0.2 nm, respectively. Perfusions of α-helical CRF had no significant effects on the levels of either of the two neurotransmitters. ^*p < 0.05, significant difference from the other experimental conditions.