Astrocytes control cocaine-induced synaptic plasticity and reward through the matricellular protein hevin

Abstract

Drug addiction involves profound modifications of neuronal plasticity in the nucleus accumbens, which may engage various cell types. Here, we report prominent effects of cocaine on calcium signals in astrocytes characterized by in vivo fiber photometry. Astrocyte calcium signals in the nucleus accumbens are sufficient and necessary for the acquisition of cocaine seeking behavior. We identify the astrocyte-secreted matricellular protein hevin as an effector of the action of cocaine and calcium signals on reward and neuronal plasticity.