Role of 5-HT1A receptor-mediated serotonergic transmission in the medial prefrontal cortex in acute restraint stress-induced augmentation of rewarding memory of cocaine in mice. (19th January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chu, Jinling; Deyama, Satoshi; Li, Xueting; Motono, Mei; Otoda, Atsuki; Saito, Atsushi; Esaki, Hirohito; Nishitani, Naoya; Kaneda, Katsuyuki
• Is Part Of: Neuroscience letters. Volume 743(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-01-19
• Subjects: Cocaine -- Medial prefrontal cortex -- Serotonin -- Stress -- 5-HT1A receptor -- Conditioned place preference; Neurology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Research -- Periodicals; Neurologie -- Périodiques; Neuroanatomie -- Périodiques; Neuropharmacologie -- Périodiques; Neurophysiologie -- Périodiques; Neurology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 617.48
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2020.135555
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0304-3940

Abstract

Highlights: Increased 5-HT levels in the mPFC is sufficient to enhance cocaine CPP expression. Blockade of mPFC 5-HT1A receptors suppresses the stress-induced CPP enhancement. Systemic blockade of 5-HT1A receptors reduces the stress-induced CPP enhancement. Abstract: Stress enhances cocaine craving. We recently reported that acute restraint stress increases cocaine conditioned place preference (CPP) in mice; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to examine the role of serotonergic transmission in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in cocaine CPP enhancement by acute restraint stress, which increases extracellular serotonin (5-HT) levels in the mPFC. Intra-mPFC infusion of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor ( S )-citalopram prior to the test session significantly increased the cocaine CPP score under non-stressed conditions. This is indicative of the substantial role of increased mPFC 5-HT levels in cocaine CPP enhancement. Moreover, intra-mPFC and systemic administration of the 5-HT1A receptor antagonist WAY100635 immediately before restraint stress exposure significantly attenuated stress-induced cocaine CPP enhancement. Our findings suggest that enhanced serotonergic transmission via 5-HT1A receptors in the mPFC is involved in acute stress-induced augmentation of rewarding memory of cocaine; moreover, the 5-HT1A receptor could be a therapeutic target for stress-induced cocaine craving.