Long-term potentiation (LTP) in the central amygdala (CeA) is enhanced after prolonged withdrawal from chronic cocaine and requires CRF1 receptors

J Neurophysiol. 2007 Jan;97(1):937-41. doi: 10.1152/jn.00349.2006. Epub 2006 Nov 1.

Abstract

The amygdala is part of the brain reward circuitry that plays a role in cocaine-seeking and abstinence in animals and cocaine craving and relapse in humans. Cocaine-seeking is elicited by cocaine-associated cues, and the basolateral amygdala (BLA) and CeA are essential in forming and communicating drug-related associations that are thought to be critical in long-lasting relapse risk associated with drug addiction. Here we simulated a cue stimulus with high-frequency stimulation (HFS) of the BLA-CeA pathway to examine mechanisms that may contribute to drug-related associations. We found enhanced long-term potentiation (LTP) after 14-day but not 1-day withdrawal from 7-day cocaine treatment mediated through N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors (NRs), L-type voltage-gated calcium channels (L-VGCCs), and corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)(1) receptors; this was accompanied by increased phosphorylated NR1 and CRF(1) protein not associated with changes in NMDA/AMPA ratios in amygdalae from cocaine-treated animals. We suggest that these signaling mechanisms may provide therapeutic targets for the treatment of cocaine cravings.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Amygdala / drug effects*
  • Amygdala / metabolism
  • Amygdala / physiopathology
  • Animals
  • Calcium Channels, L-Type / drug effects
  • Calcium Channels, L-Type / metabolism
  • Chronic Disease
  • Cocaine / adverse effects
  • Cocaine-Related Disorders / physiopathology*
  • Cues
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Electric Stimulation
  • Long-Term Potentiation / drug effects*
  • Long-Term Potentiation / physiology
  • Male
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / agonists*
  • Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / metabolism
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / drug effects
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / metabolism
  • Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / physiopathology*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Calcium Channels, L-Type
  • Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors
  • NR1 NMDA receptor
  • Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate
  • CRF receptor type 1
  • Cocaine