Cue-induced drug craving and seeking progressively increases during abstinence. This “incubation of drug craving” phenomenon has been observed in both laboratory animals and humans. Preclinical studies identified several neural mechanisms underlying incubation of drug craving after forced abstinence, primarily focusing on cocaine. Recently, studies started focusing on another powerful psychostimulant, methamphetamine (Meth), and developed new incubation procedures (choice-based and punishment-imposed abstinence). Here, we review mechanistic studies at the circuit, synaptic and molecular levels on incubation of Meth craving. First, we provide an overview of neural adaptations associated with prolonged forced abstinence after extended-access Meth self-administration. Next, we review studies examining the causal roles of discrete brain regions and associated circuits, glutamate transmission, histone deacetylase 5 and oxytocin in incubation of Meth craving after forced abstinence. Lastly, we review causal and correlational studies examining the mechanisms underlying incubation of Meth craving after choice-based voluntary abstinence and punishment-induced abstinence, respectively. We conclude by discussing the translational potential of these mechanistic studies in Meth relapse prevention in human drug users.

提示引起的药物渴望和寻求在禁欲期间逐渐增加。在实验室动物和人类中都观察到了这种“对药物渴望的孵化”现象。临床前研究确定了强迫戒断后药物渴望潜伏的几种神经机制，主要集中在可卡因上。最近，研究开始关注另一种强大的精神兴奋剂甲基苯丙胺（Meth），并开发了新的孵化程序（基于选择和惩罚性禁欲）。在这里，我们回顾了在回路、突触和分子水平上对冰毒渴望孵化的机制研究。首先，我们概述了与延长访问 Meth 自我管理后长期强迫禁欲相关的神经适应。下一个，我们回顾了检查离散大脑区域和相关回路、谷氨酸传递、组蛋白去乙酰化酶 5 和催产素在强迫戒烟后对冰毒渴望的孵化中的因果作用的研究。最后，我们回顾了因果和相关研究，分别检查了基于选择的自愿禁欲和惩罚性禁欲后对冰毒渴望的孵化机制。我们最后讨论了这些机制研究在人类吸毒者中预防 Meth 复发方面的转化潜力。我们回顾了因果关系和相关性研究，分别检查了基于选择的自愿禁欲和惩罚性禁欲后 Meth 渴望的孵化机制。我们最后讨论了这些机制研究在人类吸毒者中预防 Meth 复发方面的转化潜力。我们回顾了因果关系和相关性研究，分别检查了基于选择的自愿禁欲和惩罚性禁欲后 Meth 渴望的孵化机制。我们最后讨论了这些机制研究在人类吸毒者中预防 Meth 复发方面的转化潜力。