Abstract #4091

Brain-wide functional connectivity changes following self-administration of cocaine and a period of abstinence

Heather K. Decot^1,2, Sung-Ho Lee^3,4, Han Zhang^3,5, Fei Fei Wang⁶, Regina M. Carelli^1,6, Yen-Yu Ian Shih^1,3,7,8, and Garret D. Stuber^1,2,9

¹Neuroscience curriculum, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States, ²Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States, ³Biomedical Research Imaging Center (BRIC), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States, ⁴Neurology, Chapel Hill, NC, United States, ⁵Radiology, Chapel Hill, NC, United States, ⁶Psychology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, United States, ⁷Neurology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States, ⁸Biomedical Engineering, Chapel Hill, NC, United States, ⁹Cell Biology and Physiology, Chapel Hill, NC, United States

Several different neural systems are likely to be dysregulated to promote maladaptive behaviors associated with drug addiction. Here, we investigate changes in global functional connectivity across the brain following self-administration of cocaine and a period of abstinence in rats. We found whole brain enhancement in synchronized activity immediately following cocaine self-administration compared to pre-cocaine. Furthermore, whole brain network connectivity continued to strengthen following a period of abstinence. These data suggest that the dynamic shifts in functional connectivity following cocaine exposure persist during periods of abstinence and may provide a critical mechanistic link to relapse susceptibility.

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