Relapse to drug and food seeking presents a significant public health concern. Drug and food-paired cues contribute to relapse. We previously observed that environmental enrichment (EE) has a profound ability to reduce sucrose cue-reactivity in a rat model of relapse. This proposal aims to provide a better understanding of how EE reduces sucrose cue-reactivity.
In Aim 1 we will examine the effect of microinjection of a dopamine D1 receptor agonist into the nucleus accumbens core on sucrose cue-reactivity in rats that have experienced either acute or chronic EE.
In Aim 2 we will measure levels of phosphorylation states of DARPP-32, a key mediator of dopamine signaling, in the nucleus accumbens core as well as in several other brain regions. Embedded in the design of both Aims is assessment of the effects of abstinence duration, as time-dependent increases in cue-reactivity (incubation of craving) may be a critical factor driving relapse. Beyond the goal of identifying neural substrates of addiction as a means to informing novel addiction therapies, the studies will be conducted as a means to expose undergraduate researchers to the scientific process. Engaging the students in this way will enhance their research experiences and the research environment at Western Washington University.
Relapse to drug or food seeking presents a significant public health concern as excessive preoccupation with, and consumption of, drugs and food contribute to numerous negative health outcomes. The proposed studies aim to provide a better understanding of neurotransmitter function in the brains of rats related to relapse behavior with or without the relapse-attenuating pre-treatment of enriched environment living conditions. The results of these studies may lead to a better understanding of the molecular biology of relapse behavior and thus facilitate development of novel relapse treatment approaches.
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