Potential role for the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis in the conditioned reinforcer-induced reinstatement of extinguished cocaine seeking in rats

Abstract

These data suggest a potential role for the HPA axis in the ability of environmental cues to stimulate cocaine-seeking behavior.

Subchronic Cannabinoid Agonist (WIN 55,212-2) Treatment during Cocaine Abstinence Alters Subsequent Cocaine Seeking Behavior

“…For example, WIN 55,212-2 and other agents acting at the CB1 receptor interact with GABA A receptors, the corticotrophin-releasing factor, cholecystokinin, endogenous opioid, and serotonergic systems (Viveros et al, 2005). Interestingly, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis may have a common role in anxiety-related responses (Sinha et al, 2003), cue-induced reinstatement of extinguished cocaine seeking (Goeders and Clampitt, 2002), and behavioral effects of cannabinoids (Rodriguez de Fonseca et al, 1997). In this line, recent studies have shown that chronic cocaine exposure decreased the levels of CB1 receptor mRNA in the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (González et al, 2002b), which forms part of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and that orexin neurons in the lateral hypothalamus, probably by a regulatory role of the endocannabinoid system (Hilairet et al, 2003), became activated by cues associated with cocaine and altered relapse (Harris et al, 2005).…”

Selective Antagonism at Dopamine D3 Receptors Prevents Nicotine-Triggered Relapse to Nicotine-Seeking Behavior

“…Responding was considered stable when the average inter-reinforcement time (IRT) did not vary more than 20% between three consecutive sessions. Stability criteria for responding to drugs of abuse such as cocaine are typically referred to as variability within parameters (eg IRT, number of active lever presses) comprised between 10 and 20% (DerocheGamonet et al, 2002;Goeders and Clampitt, 2002;Highfield et al, 2002). In contrast, criteria of responding stability for nicotine are generally fixed between 15 and 30% variability for at least three consecutive sessions (Corrigall et al, 2002;Paterson and Markou, 2002;Shoaib and Stolerman, 1999) because rats self-administering nicotine show higher variability in the pattern of responding compared with those obtaining cocaine.…”

Alprazolam and oxazepam block the cue-induced reinstatement of extinguished cocaine seeking in rats

“…We previously reported that the CRH receptor antagonist CP-154,526 and the corticosterone synthesis inhibitor ketoconazole reduce the cue-induced reinstatement of extinguished cocaine seeking (Goeders and Clampitt 2002), suggesting an involvement of the HPA axis in the relapse to cocaine use. However, benzodiazepines are among the most widely prescribed drugs for the management of anxiety (Baldessarini 1996), which is often an inevitable outcome of exposure to stress and the subsequent activation of the HPA axis.…”

“…Clinical studies have demonstrated that simple exposure to environmental stimuli or cues previously associated with drug taking can produce intense drug craving (O'Brien et al 1992;Robbins et al 1999), suggesting that exposure to a physical stressor or a "taste" of cocaine itself are not necessary prerequisites for the development of craving in humans (Goeders and Clampitt 2002;Goeders 2002). Examples of such environmental stimuli include locations where the drug was purchased and/or used, the individuals that the drug was purchased from or used with, as well as associated drug paraphernalia.…”