¡¾Abstract¡¿ AIM: To investigate whether the ventral subiculum (VSUB) lesions can release the drug craving from drug addicted rats. METHODS: Female SD rats were trained to acquire the morphine conditioned place preference (CPP). After the preference was established, the rats were divided to 3 groups. The lesion group (n=20) received the electrolytic lesions of VSUB, the sham lesion group (n=10) received the same operation to the lesion group but no current passed, and the control group (n=10) received no operation. After 5 d recovery, the 3 groups underwent the CPP testing again to observe the extent of drug craving. RESULTS: A histological test was performed on postª²lesion rats after a behavioral test, and the lesions were found confined to the VSUB. The time that the lesion group spent in the drugª²paired side was significant decreased [(93.1¡À26.0) s] compared with both sham group [(10.1¡À4.5) s] and control group [(5.1¡À4.1) s]. (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The VSUB play an important role in drug addiction and lesions of the exact part can release the drug craving from drug addicted rats. ......