# Interfering with reconsolidation by rimonabant results in blockade of heroin-associated memory

## TL;DR

This study shows that rimonabant can disrupt heroin memory reconsolidation, potentially reducing relapse in substance use disorder.

## Contribution

The novel finding is that rimonabant, when administered after conditioned stimuli exposure, disrupts heroin-associated memory reconsolidation in rats.

## Key findings

- Rimonabant reduced cue- and heroin + cue-induced heroin-seeking behavior in rats.
- The inhibitory effects of rimonabant lasted for at least 28 days.
- Rimonabant's effect was only observed when administered immediately after conditioned stimuli exposure.

## Abstract

Drug-associated pathological memory remains a critical factor contributing to the persistence of substance use disorder. Pharmacological amnestic manipulation to interfere with drug memory reconsolidation has shown promise for the prevention of relapse. In a rat heroin self-administration model, we examined the impact of rimonabant, a selective cannabinoid receptor indirect agonist, on the reconsolidation process of heroin-associated memory. The study showed that immediately administering rimonabant after conditioned stimuli (CS) exposure reduced the cue- and herion + cue-induced heroin-seeking behavior. The inhibitory effects lasted for a minimum of 28 days. The effect of Rimonabant on reduced drug-seeking was not shown when treated without CS exposure or 6 hours after CS exposure. These results demonstrate a disruptive role of rimonabant on the reconsolidation of heroin-associated memory and the therapeutic potential in relapse control concerning substance use disorder.