Medial habenula cholinergic signaling regulates cocaine ‐associated relapse‐like behavior

In this study, we focus on the response of the MHb to reinstatement of cocaine‐associated behavior, demonstrating that cocaine‐primed reinstatement of conditioned place preference engages habenula circuitry. Using chemogenetics, we demonstrate that MHb activity is sufficient to induce reinstatement behavior. Together, these data identify the MHb as a key hub in the circuitry underlying reinstatement and may serve as a target for regulating relapse‐like behaviors. The medial habenula is a region typically regarded as a mediator of aversion, anxiety‐like behaviors, and the aversive properties of nicotine. Here, we demonstrate that the medial habenula is engaged by reinstatement of cocaine‐associated behavior. Moreover, we show that chemogenetic activation of the cholinergic habenula population induces reinstatement of cocaine CPP.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/resolve/doi?DOI=10.1111%2Fadb.12605

Source: Addiction Biology - January 1, 2018 Category: Addiction Authors: Alberto J. L ópez, Yousheng Jia, André O. White, Janine L. Kwapis, Monica Espinoza, Philip Hwang, Rianne Campbell, Yasaman Alaghband, Om Chitnis, Dina P. Matheos, Gary Lynch, Marcelo A. Wood Tags: Original Article Source Type: research