Complementary Genetic Targeting and Monosynaptic Input Mapping Reveal Recruitment and Refinement of Distributed Corticostriatal Ensembles by Cocaine (Neuron)

Wall et al. demonstrate that a cocaine experience recruits diverse populations of cortical and dorsal striatal neurons into coherent, persistent ensembles with heightened synaptic transmission. Chronic cocaine induces pathway-specific circuit remodeling, which impacts the expression of a drug-related behavior.