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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 21, 2026

A Procedure to Study Stress-Induced Relapse of Heroin Seeking after Punishment-Imposed Abstinence
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A Procedure to Study Stress-Induced Relapse of Heroin Seeking after Punishment-Imposed Abstinence

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Gene expression changes following extinction testing in a heroin behavioral incubation model.

Kara L Kuntz-Melcavage1, Robert M Brucklacher, Patricia S Grigson

  • 1Department of Pharmacology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA. kuntzmelcavagkl@ninds.nih.gov

BMC Neuroscience
|August 12, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Heroin-seeking behavior and associated gene expression changes persist after abstinence. This study in rats reveals lasting neuroplasticity alterations in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) linked to heroin relapse.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Genomics
  • Addiction Research

Background:

  • Investigates persistent gene expression changes after drug exposure, focusing on heroin relapse.
  • Examines behavioral incubation of heroin-seeking and goal-directed behavior in rats after abstinence.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To conduct genome-wide gene expression analysis in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) following heroin self-administration and extinction sessions.
  • To identify persistent molecular changes associated with heroin addiction and relapse behaviors.

Main Methods:

  • Rats underwent heroin self-administration followed by extinction sessions after 1 or 14 days of abstinence.
  • Genome-wide gene expression analysis using microarrays and confirmation via quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR).

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A Procedure to Study the Effect of Prolonged Food Restriction on Heroin Seeking in Abstinent Rats
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A Procedure to Study the Effect of Prolonged Food Restriction on Heroin Seeking in Abstinent Rats

Published on: November 11, 2013

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Last Updated: Jun 21, 2026

A Procedure to Study Stress-Induced Relapse of Heroin Seeking after Punishment-Imposed Abstinence
08:05

A Procedure to Study Stress-Induced Relapse of Heroin Seeking after Punishment-Imposed Abstinence

Published on: March 23, 2022

A Conditioned Place Preference Protocol for Measuring Incubation of Craving in Rats
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A Conditioned Place Preference Protocol for Measuring Incubation of Craving in Rats

Published on: November 6, 2018

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10:35

A Procedure to Study the Effect of Prolonged Food Restriction on Heroin Seeking in Abstinent Rats

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Main Results:

  • Behavioral data confirmed incubation of heroin-seeking behavior after 14 days of abstinence.
  • Microarrays identified 66 genes with significant expression changes (≥1.4 fold, p < 0.02) in the mPFC.
  • RT-qPCR confirmed alterations in key genes including bdnf, calb1, and egr1.

Conclusions:

  • Identified genes are crucial for neuroplasticity, potentially influencing learning and behavior related to drug relapse.
  • Findings highlight the role of specific genes in the memory of drug-taking and the propensity for relapse.
  • Global gene expression analysis deepens understanding of heroin's effects and its similarities to other drugs of abuse.