Neuronal mechanisms underlying stress-induced enhancement of cocaine craving

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K06520
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 46030:Function of nervous system-related
• Research Institution: Kanazawa University
• Principal Investigator: Kaneda Katsuyuki 金沢大学, 薬学系, 教授 (30421366)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: 薬物依存 / ストレス / コカイン / 渇望 / ノルアドレナリン / 内側前頭前野

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Reinstatement of drug use is a critical problem of drug addiction. One of the factors that reinstates drug use is stress. In this study, we developed a mouse model of stress-induced augmentation of cocaine craving by combining the cocaine-induced conditioned place preference paradigm and acute stress exposure. Using electrophysiological recordings, chemogenetic techniques and behavioral analyses, we found that stress-induced increase in noradrenergic transmission enhances neuronal activity in the medial prefrontal cortex, resulting in the augmentation of cocaine craving.

Free Research Field

神経薬理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究の結果より、ストレスによる薬物欲求増大の神経メカニズムの一端が明らかになった。さらに、内側前頭前野（mPFC）におけるノルアドレナリン神経伝達の遮断、あるいは、mPFC神経活動の抑制が、ストレスによる薬物欲求の増大を抑制するための治療法につながる可能性が示唆された。