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Assessment of Cocaine-induced Behavioral Sensitization and Conditioned Place Preference in Mice
Published on: February 18, 2016
A single cocaine exposure increases BDNF and D3 receptor expression: implications for drug-conditioning
Bernard Le Foll1, Jorge Diaz, Pierre Sokoloff
1blefoll@intra.nida.nih.gov
Abstract:
Environmental stimuli associated with a single cocaine exposure acquire long-lasting motivational properties that are able to induce relapse. We measured Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and dopamine D3 receptor (Drd3) expressions in rat brain regions that have been involved in drug-conditioning. Acute cocaine produced a transient increase in BDNF mRNA in the prefrontal cortex, associated with a long-lasting increase in drd3 mRNA, and a delayed and long-lasting increase in Drd3 protein in the nucleus accumbens. Methamphetamine and morphine, two drugs known to easily induce drug-conditioning, also markedly elevated BDNF mRNA. Nicotine had more limited effects. Abused drugs increase acutely BDNF expression, which leads to subsequent long-lasting elevation of Drd3 in the nucleus accumbens that may facilitate responding to drug-associated stimuli.
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