Fos-expressing neuronal ensembles in rat infralimbic cortex encode initial and maintained oxycodone seeking in rats.

ABSTRACT: Neuronal ensembles within the infralimbic cortex (IL) and their projections to the nucleus accumbens (NAc) mediate opiate seeking in well-trained rats. However, it is unclear how early this circuitry is recruited during oxycodone self-administration. Here, we used retrograde labelling (CTb) and immunohistochemistry to identify NAc-projecting neurons in the IL that were activated during initial oxycodone seeking. Next, we sought to determine the role of IL neuronal ensembles in initial oxycodone self-administration. We used the Daun02 procedure in male and female Fos-LacZ rats to chemogenetically inactivate IL Fos-expressing neurons at different time points in oxycodone self-administration training: immediately after meeting criteria for acquisition of behaviour and following nine daily ses

SUBMITTER: Gobin C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10167745 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature