Striatal transcriptomic alterations immediately after short-term abstinence from methamphetamine self-administration in rats

Substance use disorders, particularly drug addiction, are complex neurophysiological conditions characterized by cycles of compulsive drug use, withdrawal symptoms, and relapses. Methamphetamine (MA) addiction evolves through repeated exposure, altering brain circuits related to reward and neuroplasticity. The need for reliable biomarkers to diagnose and monitor MA addiction has become increasingly critical in clinical practice. In this study, we explored the time-dependent transcriptomic changes in the rat striatum immediately after short-term abstinence following MA self-administration. Using a rat model, we conducted RNA sequencing to analyze the transcriptomic alterations in the striatum immediately after the self-administration and short-term abstinence phases (12- and 24-h post-MA). Through protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis and gene expression pattern assessment, we identified key genes that demonstrated significant expression changes. These genes were strongly linked to reward mechanisms, synaptic plasticity, and memory processes, suggesting a role in mediating MA-associated behaviors. Understanding the expression dynamics of these genes provides valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying MA addiction and offers a foundation for developing diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies targeting addiction-related neural adaptations.