AUTHOR=Li Haoyu , Hu Ting , Zhang Yanghui , Zhao Zijin , Liu Qing , Chen Zihua , Chen Si 

TITLE=Extracellular signal-regulated kinase in the basolateral amygdala is required for reconsolidation of heroin-associated memory

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience

VOLUME=Volume 15 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/molecular-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnmol.2022.1020098

DOI=10.3389/fnmol.2022.1020098

ISSN=1662-5099

ABSTRACT=Reconsolidation of heroin-associated memory is an independent memory process following retrieval, which is essential for the sustained capacity of an associative drug stimulus to precipitate heroin seeking. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) is involved in the basolateral amygdala (BLA)-mediated reconsolidation of drug memory. In the present study, we utilized a rat model of craving and relapse to verify the hypothesis that the reconsolidation of heroin-associated memory requires ERK in the instrumental heroin-seeking behaviour, focusing on the BLA brain region, a crucial locus involved in synaptic plasticity and memory process. We found that bilaterally Intra-BLA infusions of U0126 (1 ug/0.5 ul), an ERK inhibitor, immediately after retrieving heroin-associated memory significantly reduced cue- and drug-induced reinstatement and spontaneous recovery of heroin seeking compared to the vehicle. Furthermore, this effect in the BLA was related to the characteristic of reconsolidation. Conversely, no effect was observed on consequently heroin-seeking behaviour when the intra-BLA infusion of U0126 6h after heroin-associated memory retrieval or without memory retrieval. Together, these data suggest that disruption or modulation of the reconsolidation of heroin-associated memory via ERK inhibitor may serve as a promising option for treating relapse in opiate addicts.