Gq-DREADD Selectively Initiates Glial Glutamate Release and Inhibits Cue-induced Cocaine Seeking.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Glial cells of the central nervous system directly influence neuronal activity by releasing neuroactive small molecules, including glutamate. Long-lasting cocaine-induced reductions in extracellular glutamate in the nucleus accumbens core (NAcore) affect synaptic plasticity responsible for relapse vulnerability.

Methods

We transduced NAcore astrocytes with an adeno-associated virus vector expressing hM3D designer receptor exclusively activated by a designer drug (DREADD) under control of the glial fibrillary acidic protein promoter in 62 male Sprague Dawley rats, 4 dominant-negative soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor mice, and 4 wild-type littermates. Using glutamate biosensors, we measured NAcore glutamate levels following intra

SUBMITTER: Scofield MD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4547911 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature