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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 8, 2026

Assessment of Cocaine-induced Behavioral Sensitization and Conditioned Place Preference in Mice

Assessment of Cocaine-induced Behavioral Sensitization and Conditioned Place Preference in Mice

Published on: February 18, 2016

Cocaine-induced structural plasticity in frontal cortex correlates with conditioned place preference.

Francisco Javier Muñoz-Cuevas¹, Jegath Athilingam, Denise Piscopo

¹Ernest Gallo Clinic and Research Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA.

Nature Neuroscience

|August 27, 2013

Summary

Contextual cues trigger drug craving, hindering recovery. Cocaine use rapidly increases new brain cell connections (dendritic spines) in the frontal cortex, linked to drug-seeking behavior.

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

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Published on: November 6, 2018

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Addiction Research
Cellular Biology

Background:

Contextual cues from drug exposure can trigger craving and drug seeking.
These cues present a significant challenge in substance use disorder recovery.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the neurobiological mechanisms underlying cue-induced drug craving.
To explore the role of structural neural plasticity in stimulant-related learning and behavior.

Main Methods:

In vivo imaging techniques were employed in a mouse model.
Cocaine administration was used to induce behavioral and cellular changes.
Measurements of new dendritic spine formation and persistence were correlated with behavioral outcomes.

Main Results:

Cocaine administration led to a rapid increase in new dendritic spine formation and accumulation.
The gain of new persistent dendritic spines correlated significantly with cocaine conditioned place preference.
These findings suggest a link between structural neural changes and drug-associated learning.

Conclusions:

New persistent dendritic spine formation in the frontal cortex is implicated in stimulant-related learning.
These structural changes may drive appetitive behaviors associated with drug seeking.
Targeting these neural plasticity mechanisms could offer novel therapeutic strategies for addiction recovery.