Susceptibility to traumatic stress sensitizes the dopaminergic response to cocaine and increases motivation for cocaine.

ABSTRACT: Patients with post-traumatic stress disorder have a heightened vulnerability to developing substance use disorders; however, the biological underpinnings of this vulnerability remain unresolved. We used the predator odor stress model of post-traumatic stress disorder with segregation of subjects as susceptible or resilient based on elevated plus maze behavior and context avoidance. We then determined behavioral and neurochemical differences across susceptible, resilient, and control populations using a panel of behavioral and neurochemical assays. Susceptible subjects showed a significant increase in the motoric and dopaminergic effects of cocaine, and this corresponded with heightened motivation to self-administer cocaine. Resilient subjects did not show differences in the motoric effects

SUBMITTER: Brodnik ZD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5585061 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature