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Assessment of Cocaine-induced Behavioral Sensitization and Conditioned Place Preference in Mice
Published on: February 18, 2016
Prior chronic cocaine exposure in mice induces persistent alterations in cognitive function
Dilja D Krueger1, Jessica L Howell, Heyman Oo
1Department of Psychiatry, Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, Ribicoff Research Facilities, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.
Behavioural Pharmacology
|November 11, 2009
Summary
Chronic cocaine use causes lasting cognitive deficits, particularly in prefrontal cortex-dependent functions like reversal learning and working memory in mice. These findings highlight potential mechanisms underlying cocaine addiction.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Science
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Chronic cocaine use is linked to persistent cognitive impairments.
- Prefrontal cortex (PFC) dysfunction is implicated in addiction.
- Lack of suitable animal models hinders understanding of cocaine-induced cognitive deficits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-lasting effects of chronic cocaine exposure on cognitive functions in mice.
- To characterize specific cognitive deficits induced by cocaine relevant to PFC function.
Main Methods:
- C57BL/6 mice received daily cocaine or saline injections for 14 days.
- A 2-week drug-free period preceded cognitive testing.
- Cognitive flexibility, attention, response inhibition, and working memory were assessed using established behavioral tasks.
Main Results:
- Prior chronic cocaine exposure led to significant impairments in reversal learning and working memory.
- No significant effects were observed in attentional function or response inhibition.
- A notable shift in error patterns was detected in tasks assessing attention and inhibition.
Conclusions:
- Chronic cocaine exposure induces enduring alterations in PFC-dependent cognitive functions in mice.
- These cognitive deficits may contribute to the development and maintenance of cocaine addiction.
- This study provides a valuable animal model for investigating the molecular mechanisms of cocaine-induced cognitive dysfunction.
