Inhibiting the JAK-STAT3 pathway in nucleus accumbens astrocytes alleviates cocaine-induced motor hyperactivity

Cocaine use disorder is a significant global health issue, and despite its widespread impact, effective treatments are lacking. While research has largely focused on the underlying neuronal mechanisms, the role of astrocytes, key regulators of synaptic transmission and plasticity, remains underexplored. Using a multidisciplinary approach that combines immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy, 3D cell reconstruction, viral gene transfer, and behavioral assays, we investigated the early adaptive responses of astrocytes to repeated cocaine administration. We report that cocaine administration induces astrocyte reactivity in the nucleus accumbens, characterized by structural remodeling, reduced synaptic coverage, and upregulation of reactivity-associated markers, including STAT3. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway plays a critical role in the pathological structural astrocytic responses and in the cocaine-induced motor behavior. Our findings highlight astrocytes as pivotal players in the initial neural adaptations underlying cocaine-induced behavior. These data may provide a basis for the development of novel therapeutic strategies targeting astrocytes to address the structural and functional disruptions associated with cocaine exposure.