Cocaine self-administration selectively abolishes LTD in the core of the nucleus accumbens

Nat Neurosci. 2006 Jul;9(7):868-9. doi: 10.1038/nn1713. Epub 2006 May 28.

Abstract

The core and shell of the nucleus accumbens have critical, differential roles in drug-dependent behaviors. Here we show that operant cocaine self-administration inhibits long-term depression (LTD) in both structures after 1 d of abstinence. However, after 21 d of abstinence, LTD was abolished exclusively in the nucleus accumbens core of cocaine self-administering rats, suggesting that voluntary cocaine self-administration induced long-lasting neuroadaptations in the core that could underlie drug-seeking behavior and relapse.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Behavior, Addictive / physiopathology
  • Behavior, Animal
  • Cocaine / administration & dosage*
  • Conditioning, Operant / drug effects
  • Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors / administration & dosage*
  • Electric Stimulation / methods
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Long-Term Synaptic Depression / drug effects*
  • Male
  • Neurons / drug effects*
  • Nucleus Accumbens / cytology*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Reinforcement Schedule
  • Reinforcement, Psychology
  • Self Administration
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors
  • Cocaine