The nucleus accumbens is a major input structure of the basal ganglia and integrates
information from cortical and limbic structures to mediate goal-directed behaviors. Chronic …

Addiction is characterized as a chronic relapsing disorder whereby addicted individuals
persistently engage in drug seeking and use despite profound negative consequences. The …

Over the last 15 years, the field of neuroscience has evolved toward recognizing the critical
role of astroglia in shaping neuronal synaptic activity and along with the pre- and …

Background Glial cells of the central nervous system directly influence neuronal activity by
releasing neuroactive small molecules, including glutamate. Long-lasting cocaine-induced …

Both pre‐clinical and clinical studies indicate that N ‐acetylcysteine ( NAC ) may be useful
in treating relapse to addictive drug use. Cocaine self‐administration in rats reduces both …

Reducing the enduring vulnerability to relapse is a therapeutic goal in treating drug addiction.
Studies with animal models of drug addiction show a marked increase in extrasynaptic …

Background As a more detailed picture of nervous system function emerges, diversity of
astrocyte function becomes more widely appreciated. While it has been shown that cocaine …

Relapse to cocaine use necessitates remodeling excitatory synapses in the nucleus accumbens
and synaptic reorganization requires matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) degradation of …

Ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine (DA) neurons perform diverse functions in motivation
and cognition, but their precise roles in addiction-related behaviors are still debated. Here, …

More than 1 billion people around the world smoke, with 10 million cigarettes sold every
minute. Cigarettes contain thousands of harmful chemicals including the psychoactive …