Role of the GABA and GABA receptors of the central nucleus of the amygdala in compulsive cocaine-seeking behavior in male rats.

Rationale: Compulsive cocaine use, defined as the continued use despite the dire consequences, is a hallmark of cocaine addiction. Thus, understanding the brain mechanism regulating the compulsive cocaine-seeking and cocaine-taking behaviors is essential to understand cocaine addiction and the key to identification of the molecular targets for the development of medications against this condition.

Objective: This study aimed to determine how the GABA and GABA receptors of the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) regulate the compulsive cocaine-seeking behavior.