Glycogen synthase kinase-3 signaling in cellular and behavioral responses to psychostimulant drugs

Abstract

Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) is a serine/threonine kinase implicated in numerous physiological processes and cellular functions through its ability to regulate the function of many proteins, including transcription factors and structural proteins. GSK-3β has been demonstrated to function as a regulator of multiple behavioral processes induced by drugs of abuse, particularly psychostimulant drugs. In this review, we provide an overview of the regulation of GSK-3β activity produced by psychostimulants, and the role of GSK-3β signaling in psychostimulant-induced behaviors including drug reward, associative learning and memory which play a role in the maintenance of drug-seeking. Evidence supports the conclusion that GSK-3β is an important component of the actions of psychostimulant drugs and that GSK-3β is a valid target for developing novel therapeutics. Additional studies are required to examine the role of GSK-3β in distinct cell types within the mesolimbic and memory circuits to further elucidate the mechanisms related to the acquisition, consolidation, and recall of drug-related memories, and potentially countering neuroadaptations that reinforce drug-seeking behaviors that maintain drug dependence.

Keywords: Addiction; Amphetamine; Cocaine; Drug reward; Mesolimbic pathway; Neuroplasticity.