The role of the endocannabinoid system in the reconsolidation of conditioned place preference induced by ethanol in mice: neurobehavioral, neurochemistry and structural aspects

• Grant number: 10/17627-8
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• Start date: August 01, 2011
• End date: July 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Pharmacology - Neuropsychopharmacology
• Principal Investigator: Jair Guilherme dos Santos Junior
• Grantee: Jair Guilherme dos Santos Junior
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo (FCMSCSP). Fundação Arnaldo Vieira de Carvalho. São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Drug addiction could be considered as usurpation of the physiological mechanisms of learning and memory. In this scenario, drug addiction is a long term memory that is constantly retrieved and reconsolidated, becoming stronger. The strengthening of this memory engages the activation of several intracellular signalings, which in turn, promote structural changes in the neural circuitry. Thus, the inhibition of the reconsolidation could be a promissory strategy for the treatment of drug addiction. Recent evidence reveals that the potentiation of the endocannabinoid signaling inhibits the reconsolidation of associative aversive memory. However, the role of the endocannabinoid system in the associative rewarding memory yet remains to be elucidated. Therefore, the goal of the present study will be to evaluate the effects of the potentiation of the endocannabinoid signaling in the reconsolidation of the conditioned place preference induced by ethanol. Furthermore, it will be addressed the neurochemical and morphological aspects related to the behavioral results. The findings of the present study could provide additional evidences about the mechanisms involved in the neurobiology of alcoholism, and could represent a rationale for the development of clinical studies to evaluate the therapeutic potential of the endocannabinoid system in alcoholism. (AU)