Reversal of cocaine-conditioned place preference and mesocorticolimbic Zif268 expression by social interaction in rats.

摘要: Little is known how social interaction, if offered as an alternative to drug consumption, affects neural circuits involved in reinforcement and substance dependence. Conditioned place preference (CPP) for cocaine (15 mg/kg i.p.) or interaction minutes) stimulus was investigated male Sprague-Dawley rats. Four episodes with a adult conspecific completely reversed CPP were even able prevent reacquisition of CPP. Social also CPP-induced expression the immediate-early gene zif268 nucleus accumbens shell, central basolateral amygdala ventral tegmental area. These findings suggest that context clearly distinct from previously drug-associated ones, may profoundly decrease incentive salience contextual stimuli. The novel experimental design facilitates neurobiological investigation this phenomenon which be beneficial human users treatment.