Phosphorylation of GluN2B subunits of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors in the frontal association cortex involved in morphine-induced conditioned place preference in mice

A role of frontal association cortex in long‐term object recognition memory of objects with complex features in rats

“…In line to this concept, it has been shown that the inactivation of FrA impairs memory consolidation of an auditory fear conditioning in mice, and the dendritic spine remodelling of FrA neurons is sensitive to paired sensory stimuli that produce associative memory (Lai et al, 2012). Furthermore, a phosphorylation of GluN2B subunits of N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) receptors in the FrA is essential for morphine‐induced conditioned place preference in mice (Chen et al, 2021), a protein synthesis in FrA neurons during associative learning of contextual fear conditioning supports formation of fear memory (Nakayama et al, 2015), a selective activation of parvalbumin‐expressing interneurons in FrA ameliorates synaptic and behavioural deficits in animal models of schizophrenia (Huang et al, 2021), a cue‐elicited drug craving represses extracellular signal‐regulated protein kinase (ERK) activation in FrA (Li et al, 2008) and a chronic stress alters spine dynamics and increases connectivity in FrA neural circuits (Shu & Xu, 2017). Altogether, these findings suggest that FrA engages in broad range of critical brain functions and possess dynamic neural circuits that makes this brain area apt for memory‐related information processing and memory formation, for dynamic synaptic connectivity and for memory‐related behavioural expression.…”

“…However, recent studies have revealed that FrA is involved in neural processes critical to associative fear learning and contributes to fear memory formation (Aime et al, 2020; Lai et al, 2012; Nakayama et al, 2015). In addition, this brain area also plays a role in the regulation of morphine‐induced conditioned place preference (Chen et al, 2021; Li et al, 2008), in social stress (Shu & Xu, 2017) and in schizophrenia (Huang et al, 2021).…”

Brain glucose metabolism and dopamine transporter changes in rats with morphine‐induced conditioned place preference

“…For instance, chronic morphine exposure could cause profound disturbances of neurotransmitters, membrane and energy metabolism in the brain, and reversed after intervention with methadone or clonidine 36 . GluN2B‐containing NMDARs in the frontal association cortex (FrA) increased during the development and reinstatement phases of morphine‐induced CPP, although blocking the activity of GluN2B in the two phases could attenuate morphine‐induced CPP and reinstatement, which indicated that NMDARs in the FrA may be involved in the regulation of morphine‐induced CPP and reinstatement 37 . Furthermore, the effect of morphine might be transmitted to the next generation because the morphine‐withdrawn offspring manifested decreased level of histone H3 acetylation and ΔFosB in the PFC and hippocampus 38 .…”

“…reinstatement, which indicated that NMDARs in the FrA may be involved in the regulation of morphine-induced CPP and reinstatement. 37 Furthermore, the effect of morphine might be transmitted to the next generation because the morphine-withdrawn offspring manifested decreased level of histone H3 acetylation and ΔFosB in the PFC and hippocampus. 38 An ex vivo study also showed that changes in the metabolism of glutamate, glutamine and GABA in PFC and hippocampus might be part of the adaptive measures taken by the central nervous system in response to repeated morphine exposure and subsequent withdrawal.…”