decreased expression of BDNF and the dopamine D3 receptor, two key regulators of drug-seeking behaviors.113 This suggests that miRNA-124a and let-7d may regulate cocaine-induced remodeling of the striatum and thereby influence the motivational properties of the drug. Consistent with this possibility, overexpression of these miRNAs in striatum, specifically in the nucleus accumbens region, decreased the conditioned rewarding effects of cocaine, whereas their inhibition increased these effects, as measured using a CPP procedure.114
