behavioralNot explicitly stated in provided textNot explicitly stated in provided text
Objective: To test whether an established morphine conditioned place preference (mCPP) can be persistently disrupted by inhibiting protein synthesis after reactivation of the conditioning memory trace
Materials & Equipment Checklist
4 items1 from ConductScience
Gather these items before starting the experiment. Check off items as you prepare.
Equipment1
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Protocol Steps
View Abstract
In human addicts, craving and relapse are frequently evoked by the recall of memories connected to a drug experience. Established memories can become labile if recalled and can then be disrupted by several interfering events and pharmacological treatments, including inhibition of protein synthesis. Thus, reactivation of mnemonic traces provides an opportunity for disrupting memories that contribute to pathological states. Here, we tested whether the memory of a drug experience can be weakened by inhibiting protein synthesis after the reactivation of its trace. We found that an established morphine conditioned place preference (mCPP) was persistently disrupted if protein synthesis was blocked by either anisomycin or cycloheximide after the representation of a conditioning session. Unlike other types of memories, an established mCPP did not become labile after contextual recall, but required the concomitant re-experience of both the conditioning context and the drug. An established mCPP was disrupted after the conditioning session if protein synthesis was blocked selectively in the hippocampus, basolateral amygdala, or nucleus accumbens but not in the ventral tegmental area. This disruption seems to be permanent, because the preference did not return after further conditioning. Thus, established memories induced by a drug of abuse can be persistently disrupted after reactivation of the conditioning experience.
1
Establish morphine conditioned place preference
Condition animals with morphine in a specific context to establish a conditioned place preference
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Note: This creates the baseline established mCPP that will be tested for disruption
View evidence from paper
“an established morphine conditioned place preference (mCPP) was persistently disrupted if protein synthesis was blocked”
2
Reactivate conditioning memory
Reactivate the established morphine conditioning memory by re-exposing animals to both the conditioning context and the drug concomitantly
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Note: Unlike contextual recall alone, an established mCPP required concomitant re-experience of both context and drug for memory lability
View evidence from paper
“an established mCPP did not become labile after contextual recall, but required the concomitant re-experience of both the conditioning context and the drug”
3
Administer protein synthesis inhibitor
Block protein synthesis using either anisomycin or cycloheximide after the representation of the conditioning session
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Note: Administration must occur after memory reactivation to disrupt reconsolidation
View evidence from paper
“an established morphine conditioned place preference (mCPP) was persistently disrupted if protein synthesis was blocked by either anisomycin or cycloheximide after the representation of a conditioning session”
4
Test regional specificity of disruption
Selectively block protein synthesis in specific brain regions: hippocampus, basolateral amygdala, nucleus accumbens, or ventral tegmental area
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Note: Disruption occurred in hippocampus, basolateral amygdala, and nucleus accumbens but not in ventral tegmental area
View evidence from paper
“an established mCPP was disrupted after the conditioning session if protein synthesis was blocked selectively in the hippocampus, basolateral amygdala, or nucleus accumbens but not in the ventral tegmental area”
5
Assess persistence of disruption
Test whether the disruption of mCPP is permanent by attempting further conditioning
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Note: The preference did not return after further conditioning, indicating permanent disruption
View evidence from paper
“This disruption seems to be permanent, because the preference did not return after further conditioning”
