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a result the changes observed here are not associated with the early stages of goal–reward associations, but rather the changes that occur following repeated drug use. Following cocaine self-administration, we observe functional reductions in activity in brain regions involved with drug-induced reward learning mechanisms. Specifically, the reductions in the prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens activity suggest that there may be suppression SB203580 manufacturer of cortico-striatal loops. Goal-directed learning is reliant on the dorsomedial striatum through loops that project from the cortex to the striatum (Alexander et al., 1986; Lawrence et al., 1998; McFarland & Haber, 2002; Haber & Calzavara, 2009). Here we show reductions in functional activity in these areas, implying that this type of learning may also be impaired. These data suggest that (1) individuals may be less able to learn new goal-directed behaviors, and (2) they also may be less able to

GDC-0068 molecular weight replace already formed associations. Replacing associations that occurred during the development of drug addiction is a process that is essential for continued abstinence and the prevention of relapse in abstinent individuals. In addition, the motivational loop, comprising the ventral striatum, orbitofrontal and anterior cingulate cortex, hippocampus, and amygdala (Lawrence et al., 1998), seemed to be particularly affected. These Protein kinase N1 reductions in regional functional activity may also potentially lead to drug-taking in order to restore these brain areas to the functional state that was present before the drug-taking was initiated (Koob & Le Moal, 1997). In addition to reductions in areas involved in reward learning and motivational behaviors, there were also reductions in regions involved in learning and memory. Reductions in functional activity were observed in the hippocampus, medial thalamus and basolateral amygdala. Reduced activity in these regions has important implications for normal functioning and the learning capacity

at baseline after the cessation of drug consumption. Even more important for cocaine users is the role that learning plays in cue–reinforcement pairings during drug misuse. It is well established that cue conditioning plays a role in the effects of drugs and on relapse, where cues alone are sufficient to reinstate drug taking/seeking after periods of prolonged abstinence (Shaham et al., 2003; Lu et al., 2004; Schmidt & Pierce, 2010). The basolateral amygdala has also been shown to be a major modulator of the extinction of conditioned place preference, further suggesting that the reductions in functional activity, and perhaps learning, may lead to a decreased ability to replace associations between drugs and cues (Schroeder & Packard, 2003, 2004).