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Altered brain energy homeostasis is a key adaptation occurring in the cocaine-addicted brain, but the effect of cocaine on the fundamental source of energy, mitochondria, is unknown. We demonstrate an increase of dynamin-related protein-1 (Drp1), the mitochondrial fission mediator, in nucleus accumbens (NAc) after repeated cocaine exposure and in cocaine-dependent individuals. Mdivi-1, a demonstrated fission inhibitor, blunts cocaine seeking and locomotor sensitization, while blocking c-Fos induction and excitatory input onto dopamine receptor-1 (D1) containing NAc medium spiny neurons (MSNs). Drp1 and fission promoting Drp1 are increased in D1-MSNs, consistent with increased smaller mitochondria in D1-MSN dendrites after repeated cocaine. Knockdown of Drp1 in D1-MSNs blocks drug seeking after cocaine self-administration, while enhancing the fission promoting Drp1 enhances seeking after long-term abstinence from cocaine. We demonstrate a role for altered mitochondrial fission in the NAc, during early cocaine abstinence, suggesting potential therapeutic treatment of disrupting mitochondrial fission in cocaine addiction.
•Cocaine promotes mitochondrial fission in NAc D1-MSNs through Drp1 activation•Mdivi-1 blunts drug-induced behaviors and excitatory synaptic function in D1-MSNs•NAc D1-MSN genetic reduction of Drp1 blunts drug seeking after early abstinence•Enhancing fission in D1-MSNs potentiates drug seeking after long-term abstinence
Chandra, Engeln et al. show that mitochondrial division and its molecular mediator, Drp1, are increased in nucleus accumbens D1-MSNs after repeated cocaine. Pharmacological or genetic blockade of mitochondrial division prevents physiological and behavioral outcomes to cocaine during early drug abstinence.