Cocaine-mediated synaptic potentiation is absent in VTA neurons from mGlu5-deficient mice

Abstract

Drugs of abuse have the ability to instantiate plastic adaptations within the central nervous system, and this property may relate to the development and persistence of addiction. In this context, a single exposure to cocaine in rodents may induce synaptic plasticity by increasing the AMPA/NMDA receptor excitatory post-synaptic current (EPSC) amplitude ratio in dopaminergic cells of the ventral tegmental area (VTA). Here, we examine the role of the metabotropic glutamate 5 (mGlu5) receptor in this regard using a genetic mouse model. The control AMPA/NMDA EPSC ratio is reduced in mGlu5-deficient mice compared to wild-types. Moreover, cocaine-induced enhancement of this EPSC ratio is also abse..