Sierra J Stringfield, Erin K Kirschmann, Mary M Torregrossa
{"title":"Working Memory Performance Predicts, but Does Not Reduce, Cocaine and Cannabinoid Seeking in Adult Male Rats.","authors":"Sierra J Stringfield, Erin K Kirschmann, Mary M Torregrossa","doi":"10.1093/ijnp/pyae048","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Cognitive deficits reflecting impaired executive function are commonly associated with psychiatric disorders, including substance use. Cognitive training is proposed to improve treatment outcomes for these disorders by promoting neuroplasticity within the prefrontal cortex, enhancing executive control, and mitigating cognitive decline due to drug use. Additionally, brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) can facilitate plasticity in the prefrontal cortex and reduce drug-seeking behaviors. We investigated whether working memory training could elevate BDNF levels in the prefrontal cortex and if this training would predict or protect against cocaine or cannabinoid seeking.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Adult male rats were trained to perform a \"simple\" or \"complex\" version of a delayed-match-to-sample working memory task. Rats then self-administered cocaine or the synthetic cannabinoid WIN55,212-2 and were tested for cued drug seeking during abstinence. Tissue from the prefrontal cortex and dorsal hippocampus was analyzed for BDNF protein expression.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Training on the working memory task enhanced endogenous BDNF protein levels in the prelimbic prefrontal cortex but not the dorsal hippocampus. Working memory training did not impact self-administration of either drug but predicted the extent of WIN self-administration and cocaine seeking during abstinence.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These results suggest that working memory training promotes endogenous BDNF but does not alter drug-seeking or drug-taking behavior. However, individual differences in cognitive performance before drug exposure may predict vulnerability to future drug use.</p>","PeriodicalId":14134,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.5000,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1093/ijnp/pyae048","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"CLINICAL NEUROLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: Cognitive deficits reflecting impaired executive function are commonly associated with psychiatric disorders, including substance use. Cognitive training is proposed to improve treatment outcomes for these disorders by promoting neuroplasticity within the prefrontal cortex, enhancing executive control, and mitigating cognitive decline due to drug use. Additionally, brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) can facilitate plasticity in the prefrontal cortex and reduce drug-seeking behaviors. We investigated whether working memory training could elevate BDNF levels in the prefrontal cortex and if this training would predict or protect against cocaine or cannabinoid seeking.
Methods: Adult male rats were trained to perform a "simple" or "complex" version of a delayed-match-to-sample working memory task. Rats then self-administered cocaine or the synthetic cannabinoid WIN55,212-2 and were tested for cued drug seeking during abstinence. Tissue from the prefrontal cortex and dorsal hippocampus was analyzed for BDNF protein expression.
Results: Training on the working memory task enhanced endogenous BDNF protein levels in the prelimbic prefrontal cortex but not the dorsal hippocampus. Working memory training did not impact self-administration of either drug but predicted the extent of WIN self-administration and cocaine seeking during abstinence.
Conclusions: These results suggest that working memory training promotes endogenous BDNF but does not alter drug-seeking or drug-taking behavior. However, individual differences in cognitive performance before drug exposure may predict vulnerability to future drug use.
期刊介绍:
The central focus of the journal is on research that advances understanding of existing and new neuropsychopharmacological agents including their mode of action and clinical application or provides insights into the biological basis of psychiatric disorders and thereby advances their pharmacological treatment. Such research may derive from the full spectrum of biological and psychological fields of inquiry encompassing classical and novel techniques in neuropsychopharmacology as well as strategies such as neuroimaging, genetics, psychoneuroendocrinology and neuropsychology.