Environmental cues previously paired with drug use significantly enhance drug-seeking behavior. In fact, presentation of such cues promotes relapse, even after long periods of abstinence. One potential treatment for addiction is to reduce the behavioral control of drug-associated cues. This requires understanding the nature of associations between environmental stimuli and drug reward; however, very little is known regarding how such associations are formed. The nucleus accumbens is critically involved in drug addiction, as it is known to mediate the reinforcing actions of abused drugs. It is known that modulation of drug seeking by environmental cues is mediated through the nucleus accumbens. I therefore propose to study neural alterations within the nucleus accumbens during the formation and expression of drug associations. I will first use multi-unit array electrophysiology to assess changes in neuronal activity while an initially neutral cue is paired with intravenous cocaine administration. I will then use fast-scan cyclic voltammetry to assess real time dopamine release during such associations. Results from these studies may promote treatments aimed at reducing the ability of environmental cues to enhance drug seeking. ? ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
5F32DA021489-02
Application #
7231416
Study Section
Human Development Research Subcommittee (NIDA)
Program Officer
Avila, Albert
Project Start
2006-04-18
Project End
2009-04-17
Budget Start
2007-04-18
Budget End
2008-04-17
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2007
Total Cost
$48,796
Indirect Cost
Name
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
608195277
City
Chapel Hill
State
NC
Country
United States
Zip Code
27599
Wheeler, Robert A; Aragona, Brandon J; Fuhrmann, Katherine A et al. (2011) Cocaine cues drive opposing context-dependent shifts in reward processing and emotional state. Biol Psychiatry 69:1067-74
Aragona, Brandon J; Day, Jeremy J; Roitman, Mitchell F et al. (2009) Regional specificity in the real-time development of phasic dopamine transmission patterns during acquisition of a cue-cocaine association in rats. Eur J Neurosci 30:1889-99