Nature Communications (Nov 2017)

Inhibiting Rho kinase promotes goal-directed decision making and blocks habitual responding for cocaine

  • Andrew M. Swanson,
  • Lauren M. DePoy,
  • Shannon L. Gourley

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-017-01915-4
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8, no. 1
pp. 1 – 12

Abstract

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Action-outcome learning requires the prelimbic prefrontal cortex. Here the authors report that fasudil, a Rho kinase inhibitor, reduces dendritic spine densities on prelimbic neurons in an activity-dependent manner, stimulating goal-directed actions, and reducing habitual responding for cocaine.