Cannabinoid Receptor Involvement in Stress-Induced Cocaine Reinstatement: Potential Interaction with Noradrenergic Pathways

Authors

Linda K. Vaughn, Marquette UniversityFollow
John R. Mantsch, Marquette UniversityFollow
Oliver Vranjkovic, Marquette University
G. Stroh, Marquette University
M. LaCourt, Marquette University
M. Kreutter, Marquette University
Cecilia J. Hillard, Medical College of Wisconsin

Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Publication Date

3-2012

Publisher

Elsevier

Source Publication

Neuroscience

Source ISSN

0306-4522

Original Item ID

DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2011.08.021

Abstract

This study examined the role of endocannabinoid signaling in stress-induced reinstatement of cocaine seeking and explored the interaction between noradrenergic and endocannabinergic systems in the process. A well-validated preclinical model for human relapse, the rodent conditioned place preference assay, was used. Cocaine-induced place preference was established in C57BL/6 mice using injections of 15 mg/kg cocaine. Following extinction of preference for the cocaine-paired environment, reinstatement of place preference was determined following 6 min of swim stress or cocaine injection (15 mg/kg, i.p.). The role of endocannabinoid signaling was studied using the cannabinoid antagonist AM-251 (3 mg/kg, i.p.). Another cohort of mice was tested for reinstatement following administration of the cannabinoid agonist CP 55,940 (10, 20, or 40 μg/kg, i.p.). The alpha-2 adrenergic antagonist BRL-44408 (5 mg/kg, i.p.) with or without CP 55,940 (20 μg/kg) was administered to a third group of mice. We found that: (1) AM-251 blocked forced swim-induced, but not cocaine-induced, reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behavior; (2) the cannabinoid agonist CP 55,940 did not reinstate cocaine-seeking behavior when administered alone but did synergize with a non-reinstating dose of the alpha-2 adrenergic antagonist BRL-44408 to cause reinstatement. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that stress exposure triggers the endogenous activation of CB1 receptors and that activation of the endocannabinoid system is required for the stress-induced relapse of the mice to cocaine seeking. Further, the data suggest that the endocannabinoid system interacts with noradrenergic mechanisms to influence stress-induced reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behavior.

Comments

Accepted version. Neuroscience, Vol. 204 (March 1, 2012): 117-124. DOI. © 2012 Elsevier. Used with permission.

Recommended Citation

Vaughn, Linda K.; Mantsch, John R.; Vranjkovic, Oliver; Stroh, G.; LaCourt, M.; Kreutter, M.; and Hillard, Cecilia J., "Cannabinoid Receptor Involvement in Stress-Induced Cocaine Reinstatement: Potential Interaction with Noradrenergic Pathways" (2012). Biomedical Sciences Faculty Research and Publications. 5.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/biomedsci_fac/5