Role of ventral tegmental area glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor in incubation of cocaine craving.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Ventral tegmental area (VTA) brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) contributes to time-dependent increases in cue-induced cocaine seeking after withdrawal (incubation of cocaine craving). Here, we studied the role of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in incubation of cocaine craving because, like BDNF, GDNF provides trophic support to midbrain dopamine neurons.

Methods

We first trained rats to self-administer intravenous cocaine for 10 days (6 hours/d, cocaine injections were paired with a tone-light cue). We then manipulated VTA GDNF function and assessed cue-induced cocaine seeking in extinction tests after withdrawal from cocaine.

Results

VTA injections of an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector containing rat GDNF cDNA (5 x 10(8) vira

SUBMITTER: Lu L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3150198 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature