Interfering with reconsolidation by rimonabant results in blockade of heroin-associated memory

Front Pharmacol. 2024 Mar 21;15:1361838. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1361838. eCollection 2024.

ABSTRACT

Drug-associated pathological memory remains a critical factor contributing to the persistence of substance use disorder. Pharmacological amnestic manipulation to interfere with drug memory reconsolidation has shown promise for the prevention of relapse. In a rat heroin self-administration model, we examined the impact of rimonabant, a selective cannabinoid receptor indirect agonist, on the reconsolidation process of heroin-associated memory. The study showed that immediately administering rimonabant after conditioned stimuli (CS) exposure reduced the cue- and herion + cue-induced heroin-seeking behavior. The inhibitory effects lasted for a minimum of 28 days. The effect of Rimonabant on reduced drug-seeking was not shown when treated without CS exposure or 6 hours after CS exposure. These results demonstrate a disruptive role of rimonabant on the reconsolidation of heroin-associated memory and the therapeutic potential in relapse control concerning substance use disorder.

PMID:38576487 | PMC:PMC10991728 | DOI:10.3389/fphar.2024.1361838