Abstract
The core and shell of the nucleus accumbens have critical, differential roles in drug-dependent behaviors. Here we show that operant cocaine self-administration inhibits long-term depression (LTD) in both structures after 1 d of abstinence. However, after 21 d of abstinence, LTD was abolished exclusively in the nucleus accumbens core of cocaine self-administering rats, suggesting that voluntary cocaine self-administration induced long-lasting neuroadaptations in the core that could underlie drug-seeking behavior and relapse.
Publication types
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Comparative Study
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Behavior, Addictive / physiopathology
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Behavior, Animal
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Cocaine / administration & dosage*
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Conditioning, Operant / drug effects
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Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors / administration & dosage*
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Electric Stimulation / methods
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In Vitro Techniques
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Long-Term Synaptic Depression / drug effects*
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Male
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Neurons / drug effects*
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Nucleus Accumbens / cytology*
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Rats
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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Reinforcement Schedule
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Reinforcement, Psychology
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Self Administration
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Time Factors
Substances
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Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors
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Cocaine