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Endocannabinoids underlie reconsolidation of hedonic memories in Wistar rats

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An Erratum to this article was published on 07 December 2013

Abstract

Rationale

Drug addicts constantly relapse to drug seeking after recall of memories linked to the drug experience. It is believed that a successful application of therapies that block memory reconsolidation may end the continuous cycle of drug relapse.

Objectives

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether modulation of the endocannabinoid system would impact the reconsolidation of opioid-related hedonic memories in rats previously paired to morphine context.

Methods

Male Wistar rats were trained to acquire a morphine-conditioned place preference (CPP). One week later, morphine-CPP memory was reactivated by a brief exposure to a drug-paired context. Immediately after the memory reactivation session, independent groups of morphine-trained rats received a single subcutaneous injection of different doses of cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist rimonabant, CB2-selective antagonist AM630, potent CB1/CB2 agonist WIN 55,212-2, inhibitor of enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase URB597, or vehicle. Morphine-CPP was retested 1 and 2 weeks after reactivation.

Results

Blockade of CB1 (but not CB2) cannabinoid receptors impaired CPP reconsolidation of morphine-CPP at both tests 1 and 2 weeks post-reactivation, whereas direct activation of cannabinoid receptors did not produce significant effects on morphine-induced CPP. However, boosting endocannabinoid signaling by inhibition of anandamide metabolism promoted a transient CB1-dependent enhancement of the CPP.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by grants from Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa e Inovação do Estado de Santa Catarina (FAPESC), and Programa de Apoio aos Núcleos de Excelência (PRONEX), all of Brazil. RNT is the holder of a CNPq research fellowship. CR de Carvalho and JS Cruz are supported by scholarships from CNPq.

Conflict of interest

All authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Psychopharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitário Trindade, 88049-900, Florianopolis, SC, Brazil

    Cristiane Ribeiro De Carvalho, Jéssica Silveira Cruz & Reinaldo Naoto Takahashi

  2. D’Or Institute for Research and Education, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    Fabrício Alano Pamplona

Authors
  1. Cristiane Ribeiro De Carvalho
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  2. Fabrício Alano Pamplona
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  3. Jéssica Silveira Cruz
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  4. Reinaldo Naoto Takahashi
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Correspondence to Cristiane Ribeiro De Carvalho.

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De Carvalho, C.R., Pamplona, F.A., Cruz, J.S. et al. Endocannabinoids underlie reconsolidation of hedonic memories in Wistar rats. Psychopharmacology 231, 1417–1425 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-013-3331-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-013-3331-2

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