IBCN   20355
INSTITUTO DE BIOLOGIA CELULAR Y NEUROCIENCIA "PROFESOR EDUARDO DE ROBERTIS"
Unidad Ejecutora - UE
congresos y reuniones científicas
Título:
Exploring the role of prefrontal cortex nicotinic receptors on cocaine-associated memory
Autor/es:
FERNANDO CASTILLO DIAZ; MARTA C ANTONELLI; VALERIA C SANABRIA; VERONICA PASTOR; JORGE H MEDINA
Lugar:
Belgrado
Reunión:
Congreso; FENS Regional Meeting 2019; 2019
Resumen:
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) have critical roles in cognitive function including attention and memory and are key players in plasticity processes. Recently, it has been shown that glutamatergic neurons in the PFC mediate the formation of cocaine-associated memories. However, the potential role of nAChRs on that mechanism is still unexplored. Aims: This study was design to assess whether alpha 7 nAChRs in the PFC are required for the formation of cocaine-associated memories and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods: Cocaine-associated memory was assessed by using conditioning place preference (CPP), where rats where trained to associate the rewarding effects of cocaine (20 mg/kg) with the environmental context in which it was received. We used behavioral pharmacology to study the effect of intra-PFC methyllycaconitine, a specific antagonist of the α7 subtype of nAChRs, on the acquisition of cocaine-induced CPP in adult rats. Results: We found that pharmacologic inhibition of α7 nAChRs in the PFC before conditioning impaired a 4-trial cocaine-induced CPP without altering acute locomotor response. We are now exploring the expression of molecular substrates for cocaine-associated memory on the mesolimbic circuit to shed light on signaling pathways related to our behavioral findings. Conclusions: Our results suggest that α7 nAChRs in the PFC participate in the acquisition of cocaine CPP. Considering that drug seeking often depends on the association between drug-paired cues and the rewarding effects of the drug, α7 nAChRs in PFC could be considered as potential targets for the prevention of addictive behaviors.