Relapse and 5-HT2CR-PLD signaling in rat amygdala

University Of Texas Med Br Galveston, Galveston TX

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Abstract

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Relapse to cocaine can be initiated after long periods of abstinence in response to cues (visual, auditory, tactile) associated with drug-taking. Repeated use of cocaine induces long-term changes (neuroadaptations) in the key brain regions potentially by usurping the learning mechanisms normally used to reinforce natural rewards. The rewarding properties and interoceptive feelings linked to cocaine become associated with environmental cues. This association is clinically important since intense drug craving causing the addicts to remain highly susceptible to relapse can predominantly occur in response to such environmental cues. However, we still have a poor understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying drug-dependent learned associations. In the present proposal, we will test the hypothesis that expression of a conditioned behavioral response to a previously cocaine-paired environment requires phospholipase D (PLD) signaling in the amygdala, a key brain area for the formation and expression of associative memories downstream to serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) 2C receptors (5-HT2CRs). We propose to investigate the requirement of PLD and 5-HT2CR function for the expression of cocaine induced conditioned hyperactivity behavior using pharmacological intervention and to determine the effect of modulating PLD activity specifically in the amygdala and study its effect on 5-HT2CR mediated suppression of conditioned hyperactivity. Such amygdala specific experimental investigation of cocaine-cue associated neuroadaptations in long-term memory mechanism act two-fold by advancing the basic understanding of the signaling mechanism associated with drug-environment conditioned associations and performing preliminary investigations of therapeutic potential in preclinical models directed towards reducing the risk of relapse.