title: A single intra-PFC infusion of BDNF prevents cocaine-induced alterations in extracellular glutamate within the nucleus accumbens.
abstract: The glutamatergic pathway arising in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC) and projecting to the nucleus accumbens (NAc) core is a critical component of the reward circuitry that underlies reinstatement to cocaine-seeking behavior. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is expressed by and modulates PFC-NAc neurons. BDNF infusion into the dmPFC attenuates reinstatement to cocaine-seeking behavior, as well as some cocaine-induced molecular adaptations within the NAc. In the present study, it is demonstrated that a single intra-dmPFC infusion of BDNF prevents cocaine self-administration-induced reduction in basal extracellular glutamate, as well as cocaine prime-induced increases in extracellular glutamate levels within the NAc. These data suggest that intra-PFC BDNF attenuates reinstatement to cocaine-seeking behavior by normalizing cocaine-induced neuroadaptations that alter glutamate neurotransmission within the NAc.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences and Neurobiology of Addiction Research Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, USA.
authors.forename: William J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Berglind
authors.forename: Timothy W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Whitfield
authors.forename: Ryan T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: LaLumiere
authors.forename: Peter W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Kalivas
authors.forename: Jacqueline F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: McGinty