Regulation of Cocaine Reward by CREB

TLDR

Cocaine modulates CREB activity in the rat nucleus accumbens, a key region for addiction. Overexpressing CREB in the nucleus accumbens reduces cocaine reward and induces aversion, while a dominant‑negative CREB enhances reward; these effects involve dynorphin transcription changes and are mitigated by κ‑opioid receptor blockade, revealing a gene‑expression cascade that alters subsequent cocaine responsiveness.

Abstract

Cocaine regulates the transcription factor CREB (adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate response element binding protein) in rat nucleus accumbens, a brain region that is important for addiction. Overexpression of CREB in this region decreases the rewarding effects of cocaine and makes low doses of the drug aversive. Conversely, overexpression of a dominant-negative mutant CREB increases the rewarding effects of cocaine. Altered transcription of dynorphin likely contributes to these effects: Its expression is increased by overexpression of CREB and decreased by overexpression of mutant CREB. Moreover, blockade of κ opioid receptors (on which dynorphin acts) antagonizes the negative effect of CREB on cocaine reward. These results identify an intracellular cascade—culminating in gene expression—through which exposure to cocaine modifies subsequent responsiveness to the drug.