High-Phenolic Cocoa Enhances Drug-Induced Reinstatement of Cocaine-Conditioned Place Preference Independently of Increasing Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis.

ABSTRACT: Cocaine is a powerful psychostimulant that disrupts brain function, affecting both physical and mental health. Natural cocoa, rich in polyphenols, influences neuroplasticity and cognitive processes. This study examined the effects of a high-phenolic cocoa-enriched diet on mice previously exposed to cocaine in a conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm, assessing CPP maintenance, cognitive and emotional behavior, and adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN) after protracted abstinence. Forty-two male and female C57BL/6JRj mice were divided into saline (VEH) and cocaine (COC) groups. The CPP paradigm included pre-conditioning, 2 weeks of conditioning with alternating cocaine (20 mg/kg) and saline pairings, and a post-conditioning test. COC mice then received either a 10% cocoa-enriched diet o

SUBMITTER: Melgar-Locatelli S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12434315 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature