Protracted withdrawal from cocaine self-administration flips the switch on 5-HT(1B) receptor modulation of cocaine abuse-related behaviors.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The role of serotonin-1B receptors (5-HT(1B)Rs) in modulating cocaine abuse-related behaviors has been controversial due to discrepancies between pharmacological and gene knockout approaches and opposite influences on cocaine self-administration versus cocaine-seeking behavior. We hypothesized that modulation of these behaviors via 5-HT(1B)Rs in the mesolimbic pathway may vary depending on the stage of the addiction cycle.

Methods

To test this hypothesis, we examined the effects of increasing 5-HT(1B)R production by microinfusing a viral vector expressing either green fluorescent protein and 5-HT(1B)R or green fluorescent protein alone into the medial nucleus accumbens shell of rats either during maintenance of cocaine self-administration (i.e., active drug use) o

SUBMITTER: Pentkowski NS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4071622 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature