Insights on Neural Mechanisms Underlying Cocaine Addiction

MAD SCIENCE –

Jan. 11, 2023 – Compulsive drug addiction is characterized by persistent drug use regardless of negative consequences surrounding a user’s addictive behavior. Epidemiological studies have revealed individual differences among users during the development of drug addiction. Neuroscientists have recognized the insular cortex to be involved in a spectrum of drug addictive behavior. Interestingly, smokers with insular cortex damage can undergo smoking disruption, allowing them to discontinue smoking. However, implications of the insular cortex during compulsive drug seeking behavior remain unknown. The insular cortex is a complex anatomical hubris in the mammalian brain, which includes an anterior insular cortex (aIC) and a posterior insular cortex (pIC). The researchers showed how the anterior insular cortex is associated with compulsive cocaine use. They demonstrated this by implementing a footshock-triggered cocaine self-administration procedure and combined the process with cluster analysis, immunostaining, fiber photometry, electrophysiology, and chemo-genetics.