Consequently, to further understand whether a history of cocaine dependence affects the Orx system, which could explain the reinstating effect of OrxA when injected in the pPVT, a secondary aim of the present study was to quantify the number of Orx-expressing cells in three subregions of the hypothalamus (LH, DMH, and PFA) that produce Orx and the number of OrxR1- and OrxR2-positive cells in the pPVT at intermediate and protracted abstinence. The gene discussed is HCRTR1; the disease is cocaine dependence.