DUSP5 Downregulation in Nucleus Accumbens Core Correlates with Cocaine-Induced Maladaptive Synaptic Plasticity.

ABSTRACT: The United States is currently facing a drug overdose epidemic. The nucleus accumbens core (NAcore), a brain region critical for reward and aversion behaviors, undergoes structural and functional synaptic adaptations in response to chronic drug exposure. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these adaptations remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigate the role of dual-specificity phosphatase 5 (DUSP5), a phosphatase known to deactivate extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), in cocaine-induced neuroplasticity. While prior research has linked other DUSP family members to various drugs of abuse, the specific role of DUSP5 in cocaine addiction remains unexplored. We hypothesized that lack of DUSP5 contributes to cocaine-induced maladaptive synaptic plasticity in NAcor

SUBMITTER: Taborda-Bejarano JP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12785552 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature