C-Fos expression associated with reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behavior by response-contingent conditioned cues.

ABSTRACT: The capability of cocaine cues to generate craving in cocaine-dependent humans, even after extended abstinence, is modeled in rats using cue reinstatement of extinguished cocaine-seeking behavior. We investigated neural activity associated with incentive motivational effects of cocaine cues using c-fos mRNA and Fos protein expression as markers. Unlike preceding studies, we used response-contingent presentation of discrete cues to elicit cocaine seeking. Rats were first trained to press a lever, resulting in cocaine reinforcement and light and tone cues. Rats then underwent extinction training, during which lever presses decreased. On the test day, rats either received response-contingent cocaine cues or received no cues. The cues reinstated extinguished cocaine-seeking behavior on the tes

SUBMITTER: Kufahl PR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2748778 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature