A single cocaine exposure increases BDNF and D3 receptor expression: implications for drug-conditioning.
Environmental stimuli associated with a single cocaine exposure acquire long-lasting motivational properties that are able to induce relapse. We measured Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and dopamine D3 receptor (Drd3) expressions in rat brain regions that have been involved in drug-conditioning. Acute cocaine produced a transient increase in BDNF mRNA in the prefrontal cortex, associated with a long-lasting increase in drd3 mRNA, and a delayed and long-lasting increase in Drd3 protein in the nucleus accumbens. Methamphetamine and morphine, two drugs known to easily induce drug-conditioning, also markedly elevated BDNF mRNA. Nicotine had more limited effects. Abused drugs increase acutely BDNF expression, which leads to subsequent long-lasting elevation of Drd3 in the nucleus accumbens that may facilitate responding to drug-associated stimuli.
Le Foll
Bernard
B
blefoll@intra.nida.nih.gov
Diaz
Jorge
J
Sokoloff
Pierre
P
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D003042:Cocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003213:Conditioning, Psychological / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D050637:Receptors, Dopamine D3
D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; C493595:Drd3 protein, rat; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2; D050637:Receptors, Dopamine D3; D003042:Cocaine