Sex differences and effects of cocaine on excitatory synapses in the nucleus accumbens.

ABSTRACT: Human and animal studies indicate that drugs of abuse affect males and females differently, but the mechanism(s) underlying sex differences are unknown. The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is central in the neural circuitry of addiction and medium spiny neurons (MSNs) in the NAc show drug-induced changes in morphology and physiology including increased dendritic spine density. We previously showed in drug-naïve rats that MSN dendritic spine density is higher in females than males. In this study, we investigated sex differences in the effects of cocaine on locomotor activity as well as MSN dendritic spine density and excitatory synaptic physiology in rats treated for 5 weeks followed by 17-21 days of abstinence. Females showed a greater locomotor response to cocaine and more robust behavioral sensi

SUBMITTER: Wissman AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3105198 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jul-Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature