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Journal article
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor and addiction: Pathological versus therapeutic effects on drug seeking
Brain research, v 1628(Pt A), pp 68-81
02 Dec 2015
PMID: 25451116
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Many abused drugs lead to changes in endogenous brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in neural circuits responsible for addictive behaviors. BDNF is a known molecular mediator of memory consolidation processes, evident at both behavioral and neurophysiological levels. Specific neural circuits are responsible for storing and executing drug-procuring motor programs, whereas other neural circuits are responsible for the active suppression of these “seeking” systems. These seeking-circuits are established as associations are formed between drug-associated cues and the conditioned responses they elicit. Such conditioned responses (e.g. drug seeking) can be diminished either through a passive weakening of seeking- circuits or an active suppression of those circuits through extinction. Extinction learning occurs when the association between cues and drug are violated, for example, by cue exposure without the drug present. Cue exposure therapy has been proposed as a therapeutic avenue for the treatment of addictions. Here we explore the role of BDNF in extinction circuits, compared to seeking-circuits that “incubate” over prolonged withdrawal periods. We begin by discussing the role of BDNF in extinction memory for fear and cocaine-seeking behaviors, where extinction circuits overlap in infralimbic prefrontal cortex (PFC). We highlight the ability of estrogen to promote BDNF-like effects in hippocampal–prefrontal circuits and consider the role of sex differences in extinction and incubation of drug-seeking behaviors. Finally, we examine how opiates and alcohol “break the mold” in terms of BDNF function in extinction circuits.
This article is part of a Special Issue entitled SI:Addiction circuits.
• There is great therapeutic potential of cortical BDNF on drug seeking.
• BDNF exerts these effects in neural circuits controlling incubation and extinction memory.
• Estrogen may interact with BDNF to drive sex differences in drug seeking.
• BDNF effects on heroin and alcohol are distinct from findings in cocaine and fear.
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Details
- Title
- Brain-derived neurotrophic factor and addiction: Pathological versus therapeutic effects on drug seeking
- Creators
- Jacqueline M. Barker - Medical University of South CarolinaJane R. Taylor - Yale UniversityTaco J. De Vries - Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit AmsterdamJamie Peters - Medical University of South Carolina
- Publication Details
- Brain research, v 1628(Pt A), pp 68-81
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Number of pages
- 14
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Pharmacology and Physiology
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000367412200008
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-84959510628
- Other Identifier
- 991020100187204721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Neurosciences