Involvement of cAMP-Dependent Protein Kinase in the Nucleus Accumbens in Cocaine Self-Administration and Relapse of Cocaine-Seeking Behavior

Self, David W.; Genova, Lisa M.; Hope, Bruce T.; Barnhart, William J.; Spencer, Jennifer J.; Nestler, Eric J.

doi:10.1523/jneurosci.18-05-01848.1998

Involvement of cAMP-Dependent Protein Kinase in the Nucleus Accumbens in Cocaine Self-Administration and Relapse of Cocaine-Seeking Behavior

cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) has been implicated in cocaine addiction because (1) cocaine reinforcement is mediated by dopamine receptors that modulate cAMP formation, and (2) repeated exposure to cocaine upregulates the cAMP system in NAc neurons. This study…