In rats that can't control glutamate, cocaine is less rewarding, staving off relapse
Wednesday, July 12, 2017 - 07:52
in Health & Medicine
Rats missing a neuroreceptor that controls the release of the neurotransmitter glutamate are less amenable to the rewarding effects of cocaine, increasing their chance of kicking the habit once addicted, researchers find. Their work suggests that the receptor, which protects nerve cells from fatal inundation by excess glutamate, is involved in modulating the reward-seeking behavior associated with drug addiction.