Аннотация:The intracellular signaling cascades constitute the means by which addictive substances induce the remodeling of the circuits involved in motivated behaviors which underlie the learning processes and the development of memories at the basis of the progression of addiction.A protagonist in such signaling cascades is the Extracellular signal-Regulated Kinase (ERK), a member of the mitogen-activated protein kinase, that constitutes an important biochemical factor common to many cellular functions.The abundant expression of ERK in brain areas of addiction circuits emphasizes the relevance of this kinase in modulating behavioral functions mediated by these circuits.These findings led to the development of new research lines aimed at
