Decoding Secondary Motor Cortex Neuronal Activity During Cocaine Self-Administration: Insights From Longitudinal In Vivo Calcium Imaging.

ABSTRACT:

Background

We recently reported that cocaine relapse risk is linked to hyperexcitability in the secondary motor cortex (M2) after prolonged withdrawal following intravenous self-administration (IVSA). However, the neuronal mechanisms underlying drug-taking behaviors and the response of M2 neurons to contingent drug delivery remain poorly understood.

Methods

Mice received cocaine as reinforcement (reinforcers [RNFs]) following active lever presses (ALPs) but not inactive lever presses (ILPs). Using miniScopes for in vivo calcium imaging during cocaine IVSA, we tracked M2 neuronal activity with single-cell resolution. Then we analyzed Ca²⁺ transients in the M2 at the early versus late stages during the 1-hour daily sessions on day 1 and day 5.

Results

M2 neur

SUBMITTER: Chen Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12284276 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature