Molecular pattern of a decrease in the rewarding effect of cocaine after an escalating-dose drug regimen.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Long-term cocaine exposure leads to dysregulation of the reward system and initiates processes that ultimately weaken its rewarding effects. Here, we studied the influence of an escalating-dose cocaine regimen on drug-associated appetitive behavior after a withdrawal period, along with corresponding molecular changes in plasma and the prefrontal cortex (PFC).

Methods

We applied a 5 day escalating-dose cocaine regimen in rats. We assessed anxiety-like behavior at the beginning of the withdrawal period in the elevated plus maze (EPM) test. The reinforcement properties of cocaine were evaluated in the Conditioned Place Preference (CPP) test along with ultrasonic vocalization (USV) in the appetitive range in a drug-associated context. We assessed corticosterone, proop

SUBMITTER: Kolosowska K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9889529 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature