Why does chronic cocaine use typically lead to increased drug-seeking behavior even as the user experiences diminished euphoria?

💡 Explanation

Delta FosB, a transcription factor, accumulates in the nucleus accumbens with chronic cocaine exposure. This leads to increased sensitivity to cocaine and other rewards, driving compulsive drug-seeking, because the mesolimbic dopamine system is sensitized. Therefore, upregulation of delta FosB is the correct answer, rather than decreased dopamine receptors which would lower reward sensitivity.

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