AMPA Receptor Plasticity in Accumbens Core Contributes to Incubation of Methamphetamine Craving.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The incubation of cue-induced drug craving in rodents provides a model of persistent vulnerability to craving and relapse in human addicts. After prolonged withdrawal, incubated cocaine craving depends on strengthening of nucleus accumbens (NAc) core synapses through incorporation of Ca²⁺-permeable alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid receptors (CP-AMPARs). Through metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (mGluR1)-mediated synaptic depression, mGluR1 positive allosteric modulators remove CP-AMPARs from these synapses and thereby reduce cocaine craving. This study aimed to determine if similar plasticity accompanies incubation of methamphetamine craving.

Methods

Rats self-administered saline or methamphetamine under extended-access conditio

SUBMITTER: Scheyer AF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5050076 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature