Cocaine-Enhanced Enkephalin Gates Plasticity of Distinct Striatal Synapses and Facilitates Cue-Induced Cocaine-Seeking During Abstinence
Kanako Matsumura, Polina N. Lyuboslavsky, Amélia Nicot, Bailey C. Remmers, Mia Smith, In Bae Choi, Gabriel Garza, Anjali Baratham, Lauren K. Dobbs
This study shows that cocaine abstinence increases enkephalin in D2-MSNs, reducing GABA release to VP neurons and promoting cocaine seeking.
bioRxiv · Sep 1, 2026 · PreprintNeuroscience