In conclusion, our study reveals dynamic synchronization of PSD-95 and GluA1 in the amygdaloid complex of human drug abusers. The fact that enhanced GluA1-PSD-95 coupling, well established to reflect strengthening of excitatory synapses, was evident in heroin, cocaine, and polysubstance users is consistent with the hypothesis that potentiated glutamatergic long-term plasticity is a common feature of drug abuse. Upregulation of amygdala dynamin-3 and Homer 1b/c levels together with potentiation of their physical interaction suggests abnormality of the PSD and endocytic zone structural network in the amygdala of drug abusers. Such disturbances might be a fundamental component of the pathophysiology underlying addiction disorder.
