Stress and rodent models of drug addiction: role of VTA–accumbens–PFC–amygdala circuit

Stress can trigger, intensify and prolong drug consumption, as well as reinstate previously extinguished drug taking behavior by directly impacting a neural circuit often referred to as a reward pathway. Animal models of drug abuse have been used to understand these neural circuits mediating stress-induced drug intake and relapse through the examination of cellular and subcellular molecular mechanisms. Several types of intermittent stressors induce cross-sensitization to psychomotor stimulants, enhance conditioned place preference under most conditions, increase self-administration of cocaine and amphetamine and induce reinstatement of heroin and cocaine seeking via activation of the mesocorticolimbic dopamine system.

Section editors:Nigel Maidment and Niall Murphy – Hatos Center for Neuropharmacology, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USAM. Foster Olive – Center for Drug and Alcohol Programs, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA