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  • Title: Chronic cocaine reduces RGS4 mRNA in rat prefrontal cortex and dorsal striatum.
    Author: Schwendt M, Hearing MC, See RE, McGinty JF.
    Journal: Neuroreport; 2007 Aug 06; 18(12):1261-5. PubMed ID: 17632279.
    Abstract:
    Neuroadaptations affecting dopamine transmission within the prefrontal cortex and striatum are thought to underlie relapse to cocaine seeking after extended periods of abstinence. Regulator of G-protein signaling 4 (RGS4) is a forebrain-enriched protein known to be dynamically regulated by dopamine receptors in response to acute psychostimulant administration. In this report, chronic noncontingent (cocaine binge) or response-contingent (self-administration) delivery of cocaine followed by 2-3 weeks of abstinence resulted in a decrease of RGS4 mRNA in the dorsal striatum and prefrontal cortex. Furthermore, re-exposure to the cocaine-associated context after abstinence renewed the drug seeking and restored the levels of RGS4 mRNA to control values. Changes in RGS4 mRNA levels might signal abnormal receptor G-protein coupling that impacts cocaine seeking.
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