Degradation of perineuronal nets in the cerebellum to prevent relapse of drug seeking

Abstract

Drug addiction can be associated with the ability of certain substances to hijack natural learning and memory mechanisms. This thesis focuses on the study and manipulation of cerebellar perineuronal nets (PNNs) following cocaine self-administration. These structures regulate synaptic architecture and have been related with learning, memory and addiction. Our results show that cocaine self-administration, in an extended access pattern, dynamically regulates plasticity conditions in the cerebellum during withdrawal and increases the expression of PNNs after prolonged abstinence. This is consistent with the observed expression levels of essential components of PNNs. These results support the theory that PNNs around Golgi interneurons are necessary mechanisms for the persistence of drug-induced memories and their regulation may be linked to their stabilisation.