The methods described here outline a procedure used to optogenetically reverse cocaine-induced plasticity in a behaviorally-relevant circuit in rats. Sustained low-frequency optical stimulation of thalamo-amygdala synapses induces long-term depression (LTD). In vivo optogenetically-induced LTD in cocaine-experienced rats resulted in the subsequent attenuation of cue-motivated drug seeking.
Rich, M. T., Huang, Y. H., Torregrossa, M. M. Using Optogenetics to Reverse Neuroplasticity and Inhibit Cocaine Seeking in Rats. J. Vis. Exp. (176), e63185, doi:10.3791/63185 (2021).