Cocaine increases phosphorylation of MeCP2 in the rat striatum in vivo: A differential role of NMDA receptors

► Cocaine is able to alter a critical epigenetic factor MeCP2 in reward circuits ► The effect of cocaine is rapid and transient. ► NMDA glutamate receptors may be involved in the effect of cocaine. ► MeCP2 may therefore link cocaine to drug addiction at the epigenetic level.