[¹¹C]MK-6884 PET imaging reveals lower M₄ muscarinic acetylcholine receptor availability following cocaine self-administration in male rats.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Cocaine Use Disorder (CUD) remains a significant problem in the United States, with high rates of relapse and no present FDA-approved treatment. The acetylcholine neurotransmitter system, specifically through modulation of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) function, has shown promise as a therapeutic target for multiple aspects of CUD. Enhancement of the M₄ mAChR subtype via positive allosteric modulation has been shown to inhibit the behavioral and neurochemical effects of cocaine across several rodent models of CUD. However, it is unclear how cocaine exposure affects M₄ mAChR expression or distribution.

Objectives

To evaluate the effects of cocaine self-administration on M₄ mAChR availability using [¹¹C]MK-6884

SUBMITTER: Gollapelli KK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11911261 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature