Intractable cocaine craving precipitated by exposure to a cocaine-associated environmental context is a major factor contributing to drug relapse. This phenomenon depends on available long-term memories of context- response-drug associations. Recent findings indicate that associative memories become labile upon retrieval and need to undergo protein synthesis-dependent reconsolidation into long-term memory stores in order to be retained over time. Cocaine-induced pathology in memory reconsolidation may result in unusually salient or intrusive cocaine memories that manifest as increased cue reactivity and propensity for drug relapse in a drug- associated environment. Thus, the long-term goal of this research program is to enhance our understanding of the functional neuroanatomy and cellular mechanisms of cocaine memory reconsolidation. During the previous funding period, we have shown that protein synthesis-dependent memory reconsolidation occurs in the basolateral amygdala. Remarkably, this process is functionally dependent on neural activity in the dorsal hippocampus, even though the two brain regions do not share monosynaptic connections. Logically extending this line of research in this competitive renewal application, Specific Aim 1 will identify novel memory reconsolidation circuits. Based on our new preliminary findings, we will test the hypothesis that the locus coeruleus serves as a relay between the dorsal hippocampus and basolateral amygdala to permit cocaine memory reconsolidation. In addition, we will evaluate how the inhibition of specific pathways within this putative circuitry alters electrophysiological activity at the targeted terminal region of each pathway. During the previous funding period, we also identified cellular mechanisms that are necessary for cocaine memory reconsolidation. Systematically extending this line of research, Specific Aim 2 will identify novel cellular mechanisms of cocaine memory reconsolidation in the basolateral amygdala. Based on our preliminary findings, Aim 2 will focus on the endocannabinoids (eCB), anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), in the basolateral amygdala. We will evaluate the extent to which memory reconsolidation is sufficient to produce changes in eCB levels, eCB degradation, and pyramidal cell excitability within the basolateral amygdala. In addition, we will test the hypothesis that AEA inhibits - whereas 2-AG facilitates ? the reconsolidation of labile cocaine memories and the activation of a requisite cellular mediator of memory reconsolidation within the basolateral amygdala. To accomplish these Aims, we will utilize sophisticated behavioral, novel optogenetic functional disconnection, and electrophysiological recording protocols, as well as immunohistochemistry, quantitative Western blotting, and eCB biochemical assays. Overall, renewal of this productive research program has the potential to significantly advance our understanding of the neural basis of cocaine memory reconsolidation and to provide an essential conceptual framework for future research and addiction treatment development efforts.

Public Health Relevance

Drug relapse is a major public health impediment. The proposed project aims to increase our understanding of (a) the neural circuitry and (b) cellular mechanisms mediating the reconsolidation-induced maintenance of drug- related memories that trigger relapse. This research has the potential to provide insight into how pathologically strong and invasive drug memories develop and to help us identify suitable therapeutic targets for drug-relapse prevention.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
2R01DA025646-07A1
Application #
9403725
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-IFCN-C (02))
Program Officer
Berton, Olivier Roland
Project Start
2010-02-01
Project End
2022-03-31
Budget Start
2017-06-15
Budget End
2018-03-31
Support Year
7
Fiscal Year
2017
Total Cost
$376,929
Indirect Cost
$127,855
Name
Washington State University
Department
Veterinary Sciences
Type
Schools of Veterinary Medicine
DUNS #
041485301
City
Pullman
State
WA
Country
United States
Zip Code
99164
Arguello, Amy A; Wang, Rong; Lyons, Carey M et al. (2017) Role of the agranular insular cortex in contextual control over cocaine-seeking behavior in rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 234:2431-2441
Stringfield, S J; Higginbotham, J A; Wang, R et al. (2017) Role of glucocorticoid receptor-mediated mechanisms in cocaine memory enhancement. Neuropharmacology 123:349-358
Fuchs, Rita A; McLaughlin, Ryan J (2017) Garcinol: A Magic Bullet of Amnesia for Maladaptive Memories? Neuropsychopharmacology 42:581-583
Hutson, Lee W; Lebonville, Christina L; Jones, Meghan E et al. (2017) Interleukin-1 signaling in the basolateral amygdala is necessary for heroin-conditioned immunosuppression. Brain Behav Immun 62:171-179
Arguello, Amy A; Richardson, Ben D; Hall, Jacob L et al. (2017) Role of a Lateral Orbital Frontal Cortex-Basolateral Amygdala Circuit in Cue-Induced Cocaine-Seeking Behavior. Neuropsychopharmacology 42:727-735
Stringfield, Sierra J; Higginbotham, Jessica A; Fuchs, Rita A (2016) Requisite Role of Basolateral Amygdala Glucocorticoid Receptor Stimulation in Drug Context-Induced Cocaine-Seeking Behavior. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 19:
Jiang, Zhihua; Wang, Hongyang; Michal, Jennifer J et al. (2016) Genome Wide Sampling Sequencing for SNP Genotyping: Methods, Challenges and Future Development. Int J Biol Sci 12:100-8
Wells, Audrey M; Xie, Xiaohu; Higginbotham, Jessica A et al. (2016) Contribution of an SFK-Mediated Signaling Pathway in the Dorsal Hippocampus to Cocaine-Memory Reconsolidation in Rats. Neuropsychopharmacology 41:675-85
Young, Erica J; Aceti, Massimiliano; Griggs, Erica M et al. (2014) Selective, retrieval-independent disruption of methamphetamine-associated memory by actin depolymerization. Biol Psychiatry 75:96-104
Lasseter, Heather C; Xie, Xiaohu; Arguello, Amy A et al. (2014) Contribution of a mesocorticolimbic subcircuit to drug context-induced reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behavior in rats. Neuropsychopharmacology 39:660-9

Showing the most recent 10 out of 21 publications