Initial Evaluations of the Microtubule-Based PET Radiotracer, [C]MPC-6827 in a Rodent Model of Cocaine Abuse.

Purpose: Microtubules (MTs) are structural units made of α and β tubulin subunits in the cytoskeleton responsible for axonal transport, information processing, and signaling mechanisms-critical for healthy brain function. Chronic cocaine exposure affects the function, organization, and stability of MTs in the brain, thereby impairing overall neurochemical and cognitive processes. At present, we have no reliable, non-invasive methods to image MTs for cocaine use disorder (CUD).

Nociceptive input after peripheral nerve injury results in cognitive impairment and alterations in primary afferent physiology in rats.

Pain alters cognitive performance through centrally mediated effects in the brain. In this study, we hypothesized that persistent activation of peripheral nociceptors after injury would lead to the development of a chronic pain state that impairs attention-related behavior and results in changes in peripheral neuron phenotypes. Attentional performance was measured in rats using the 5-choice serial reaction time titration variant to determine the initial impact of partial L5 spinal nerve ligation and the effect of persistent nociceptor activation on the resolution of injury.