Inhibition of ERK pathway or protein synthesis during reexposure to drugs of abuse erases previously learned place preference.

ABSTRACT: Repeated association of drugs of abuse with context leads to long-lasting behavioral responses that reflect reward-controlled learning and participate in the establishment of addiction. Reactivation of consolidated memories is known to produce a reconsolidation process during which memories undergo a labile state. We investigated whether reexposure to drugs had similar effects. Cocaine administration activates extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in the striatum, and ERK activation is required for the acquisition of cocaine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP). When mice previously conditioned for cocaine-place preference were reexposed to cocaine in the drug-paired compartment after systemic administration of SL327, an inhibitor of ERK activation, CPP response was abolished 2

SUBMITTER: Valjent E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1413817 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature