A molecularly defined D1 medium spiny neuron subtype negatively regulates cocaine addiction

Abstract

The striatum plays a critical role in regulating addiction-related behaviors. The conventional dichotomy model suggests that striatal D1/D2 medium spiny neurons (MSNs) positively/negatively regulate addiction-related behaviors. However, this model does not account for the neuronal heterogeneity and functional diversity of the striatum, and whether MSN subtypes beyond the pan-D1/D2 populations play distinct roles in drug addiction remains unknown. We characterized the role of a tachykinin 2 –expressing D1 MSN subtype ( Tac2 + ), present in both rodent and primate striatum, using cocaine addiction mouse models. We found that acute cocaine administration reduces Tac2 neuronal activity, and cocaine conditioning alters neuronal response related to cocaine reward contextual associations. In addition, activation/inhibition of Tac2 + neurons attenuates/promotes cocaine-induced conditioned place preference and cocaine intravenous self-administration. Furthermore, stimulation of the NAc-to-lateral hypothalamic projection of Tac2 + neurons suppresses cocaine reward behavior. Our study reveals an unconventional negative regulatory function of D1 MSNs in drug addiction that operates in a subtype- and projection-specific manner.