Incubation of methamphetamine craving in punishment-resistant individuals is associated with activation of specific gene networks in the rat dorsal striatum

Abstract Methamphetamine use disorder (MUD) is characterized by loss of control over compulsive drug use. Here, we used a self-administration (SA) model to investigate transcriptional changes associated with the development of early and late compulsivity during contingent footshocks. Punishment initially separated methamphetamine taking rats into always shock-resistant (ASR) rats that continued active lever pressing and shock-sensitive (SS) rats that reduced their lever pressing. At the end of the punishment phase, rats underwent 15 days of forced abstinence at the end of which they were re-introduced to the SA paradigm followed by SA plus contingent shocks. Interestingly, 36 percent of the initial SS rats developed delayed shock-resistance (DSR). Of translational relevance, ASR rats showed more incubation of methamphetamine craving than DSR and always sensitive (AS) rats. RNA sequencing revealed increased striatal Rab37 and Dipk2b mRNA levels that correlated with incubation of methamphetamine craving. Interestingly, Bdnf mRNA levels showed HDAC2-dependent decreased expression in the AS rats. The present SA paradigm should help to elucidate the molecular substrates of early and late addiction-like behaviors.