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Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) attenuates cocaine-seeking behavior in the self-administration model in rats

  • Rachel Maayan
  • , Sharon Lotan
  • , Ravid Doron
  • , Maytal Shabat-Simon
  • , Iris Gispan-Herman
  • , Abraham Weizman
  • , Gal Yadid
  • Tel Aviv University
  • Bar-Ilan University
  • Geha Mental Health Center

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Scopus citations

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the possible involvement of the neurosteroid dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in cocaine-seeking behavior in a self-administration model in rats. DHEA pretreatment (continued thereafter concomitantly with cocaine self-administration) attenuated cocaine-seeking behavior and elevated the levels of dopamine and serotonin in several brain regions relevant to cocaine addiction. Chronic cocaine self-administration induced elevation in brain DHEA, its sulfate ester, DHEAS, and pregnenolone. The increased brain DHEA following cocaine self-administration may serve as a compensatory protective mechanism geared to attenuate the craving for cocaine. Such anti-craving activity is further enhanced by DHEA treatment before and during cocaine self-administration.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)329-339
Number of pages11
JournalEuropean Neuropsychopharmacology
Volume16
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2006

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
    SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords

  • Cocaine
  • Cocaine seeking behavior
  • Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
  • Neurosteroids
  • Self-administration

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