Navigation Links
Gene therapy reduces cocaine use in rats
Date:4/16/2008

UPTON, NY - Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory have shown that increasing the brain level of receptors for dopamine, a pleasure-related chemical, can reduce use of cocaine by 75 percent in rats trained to self-administer it. Earlier research by this team had similar findings for alcohol intake. Treatments that increase levels of these chemicals - dopamine D2 receptors -- may prove useful in treating addiction, according to the authors. The study will be published online April 16 and will appear in the July 2008 issue of Synapse.

"By increasing dopamine D2 receptor levels, we saw a dramatic drop in these rats' interest in cocaine," said lead author Panayotis (Peter) Thanos, a neuroscientist with Brookhaven Lab and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) Laboratory of Neuroimaging. "This provides new evidence that low levels of dopamine D2 receptors may play an important role in not just alcoholism but in cocaine abuse as well. It also shows a potential direction for addiction therapies."

The D2 receptor receives signals in the brain triggered by dopamine, a neurotransmitter needed to experience feelings of pleasure and reward. Without receptors for dopamine, these signals get "jammed" and the pleasure response is blunted. Previous studies at Brookhaven Lab have shown that chronic abuse of alcohol and other addictive drugs increases the brain's production of dopamine. Over time, however, these drugs deplete the brain's D2 receptors and rewire the brain so that normal pleasurable activities that stimulate these pathways no longer do - leaving the addictive drug as the only way to achieve this stimulation.

The current study suggests that cocaine-dependent individuals may have their need for cocaine decreased if their D2 levels are boosted. Thanos' lab previously demonstrated dramatic reductions in alcohol use in alcohol-preferring rats infused with dopamine D2 receptors (se
'/>"/>

Contact: Karen McNulty Walsh
kmcnulty@bnl.gov
631-344-8350
DOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory
Source:Eurekalert

1

GOOD

Page: 1 2

Related medicine news :

1. Immunotherapy: enlisting the immune system to fight cancer
2. In blood vessel stents, innovative materials allow better control, delivery of gene therapy
3. Biomarker May Predict Response to Cancer Therapy
4. Penn researchers find targeted therapy combination overcomes treatment resistance in liver cancer
5. Rejuvasun(TM) With Omnilux(TM): Industry First to Feature FDA-Cleared, Clinically Proven Light Therapy Technology
6. Estrogen therapy increases benign breast disease risk
7. High-intensity chemotherapy does not improve survival in small cell lung cancer
8. Double binding sites on tumor target may provide future combination therapy
9. How Patients Can Meet the Criteria for Insulin Pump Therapy
10. New Legislation Would Expedite Medicare Patient Access to Physical Therapy
11. Stem cell research leads to potential new therapy for rare blood disorder
Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
(Date:5/18/2013)... (HealthDay News) -- Just a few extra cups of ... an autoimmune liver disease known as primary sclerosing cholangitis ... Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., found that drinking coffee ... disease, which can lead to cirrhosis of the liver, ... not prove a cause-and-effect relationship. "While rare, ...
(Date:5/18/2013)... 18, 2013) There are significant cost and ... to diagnose or treat gastrointestinal problems, according to ... , A study by New York Presbyterian Hospital ... testing may substantially reduce the cost and risk ... is believed to affect nearly 25 percent of ...
(Date:5/18/2013)... ID (PRWEB) May 18, 2013 ... when it comes to safety and comfort of ... requirements and provides clients with an effective and ... This is an integrated, turnkey communications solution ... care, while allowing residents independence and privacy. ...
(Date:5/18/2013)... (PRWEB) May 18, 2013 Transvaginal ... products continue to move forward in a consolidated litigation ... Liebhard LLP reports. According to a notice on the ... Ethicon pelvic mesh litigation will be held on Wednesday, ... have been filed in the proceeding on behalf of ...
(Date:5/18/2013)... The “World Healthcare IT Market: Trends & Forecast (2010 ... restraints, and opportunities in North America, Europe, Asia, & ... 89 market data tables , ... , http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/healthcare-information-technology-market-136.html , Early buyers ... healthcare IT market is expected to grow from $99.6 ...
Breaking Medicine News(10 mins):Health News:Study Links Coffee to Lower Risk for Rare Liver Disease 2Health News:New research identifies practice changes to improve value and quality of GI procedures 2Health News:VisionLink Nurse Call System's New Features Serve the Unique Needs of Retirement Communities 2Health News:VisionLink Nurse Call System's New Features Serve the Unique Needs of Retirement Communities 3Health News:Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuits: Bernstein Liebhard LLP Notes Upcoming Case Management Conference in New Jersey Ethicon Pelvic Mesh Litigation 2Health News:Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuits: Bernstein Liebhard LLP Notes Upcoming Case Management Conference in New Jersey Ethicon Pelvic Mesh Litigation 3Health News:Healthcare IT Market to reach US$ 162.2 Billion by 2015 at a CAGR of 10.2% - New Report by MarketandMarkets 2Health News:Healthcare IT Market to reach US$ 162.2 Billion by 2015 at a CAGR of 10.2% - New Report by MarketandMarkets 3
... Inc., a global provider of image management services ... announced that it has made a contribution to ... Vascular Association (AVA). Open the Pathway is an ... M2S has a long-term commitment to vascular treatment ...
... legislators announced a budget deal that includes temporary revenues in ... them permanent, SEIU members and community allies from around the ... in Sacramento and the Governor,s offices in Los Angeles, Riverside, ... week.The rallies are an effort to stop the bad budget ...
... incentivesPORTLAND, Ore., Feb. 11 Regence BlueCross BlueShield of ... the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Oregon. The ... develop healthy habits and decision making skills, and improve ... impact that our choices have on health, and we,re ...
... better diagnosis, treatment for heart patients , , WEDNESDAY, Feb. ... contrast echocardiography had a significant impact on the diagnosis ... new study found. , Echocardiography bounces sound waves into ... moving heart. If that image isn,t clear enough, it ...
... Program Teaches Earth-Friendly Health ChoicesMIDLAND, Mich., Feb. 11 ... looking for ways to go green. By implementing ... program ( www.HealthEnhancementSystems.com ), Green ... www.greenplanetwellness.com/?from=nw_021109 ), participants learn small steps ...
... Calif., Feb. 11 Valeant Pharmaceuticals International (NYSE: ... a conference call on Tuesday, February 24, 2009 at ... for the 2008 fourth quarter and year.The dial-in number ... code 83660030. International callers should dial ...
Cached Medicine News:Health News:M2S, Inc. Makes Contribution to American Vascular Association 2Health News:M2S, Inc. Makes Contribution to American Vascular Association 3Health News:Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Oregon Get $10K Regence Grant 2Health News:Study Brings Value of Echocardiography Into Focus 2Health News:Green Planet Wellness Helps Employers Have Big Environmental Impact 2Health News:Valeant Pharmaceuticals to Announce 2008 Fourth Quarter and Year Results on February 24, 2009 2
(Date:5/17/2013)... , May 17, 2013  Orexigen® Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ... a company overview at the UBS Global Healthcare Conference in ... for Wednesday, May 22 nd at 11 a.m. Eastern ... of the presentation, please visit the Investor Relations section of ... will be available for 14 days after the event. ...
(Date:5/17/2013)... /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- United Medical Education, a company that provides ... Advanced Life Support (PALS) and Basic Life Support (BLS), ... online course manuals. In order to gain access ... an account with the company. By offering the free ... Education is setting a precedent among similar companies. ...
(Date:5/17/2013)... , May 17, 2013  Serving a region of ... Rico , Caribbean Imaging and Radiation Therapy (CIRT, ... therapy capabilities with the acquisition of an Elekta Versa HD™ ... Versa HD offers clinicians the versatility to deliver conventional therapies ... while also enabling treatment of highly complex cancers that require ...
Breaking Medicine Technology:ACLS Online Course Manuals are Now Available at No Cost through United Medical Education 2Puerto Rico's Caribbean Imaging and Radiation Therapy Center Orders Elekta's New Versa HD System for Treatment of Cancer Patients 2
... a First, Immunotherapy Works Against Neuroblastoma-- PHILADELPHIA, May 28 ... for an experimental therapy using elements of the body,s ... neuroblastoma, a challenging cancer of the nervous system.John M. ... of Philadelphia, co-authored the phase 3 clinical trial, which ...
... Survival, Disease Control and Neurotoxicity Data To Be ... Support Picoplatin as a Neuropathy-Sparing Alternative to Oxaliplatin ... Management Team to Host Analyst and Investor Briefing ... SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., May 28 Poniard ...
Cached Medicine Technology:New Therapy Enlists Immune System to Boost Cure Rate in a Childhood Cancer 2New Therapy Enlists Immune System to Boost Cure Rate in a Childhood Cancer 3Poniard Pharmaceuticals Announces Progression-Free Survival Data From Phase 2 Clinical Trial of Picoplatin in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer 2Poniard Pharmaceuticals Announces Progression-Free Survival Data From Phase 2 Clinical Trial of Picoplatin in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer 3Poniard Pharmaceuticals Announces Progression-Free Survival Data From Phase 2 Clinical Trial of Picoplatin in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer 4Poniard Pharmaceuticals Announces Progression-Free Survival Data From Phase 2 Clinical Trial of Picoplatin in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer 5Poniard Pharmaceuticals Announces Progression-Free Survival Data From Phase 2 Clinical Trial of Picoplatin in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer 6
... is a national reference laboratory and a ... development. ARUP offers an extensive test menu ... in clinical and anatomic pathology. Owned by ... include more than half of the nation's ...
... Laboratories is a national reference laboratory and ... and development. ARUP offers an extensive test ... tests in clinical and anatomic pathology. Owned ... clients include more than half of the ...
... a national reference laboratory and a worldwide ... ARUP offers an extensive test menu of ... clinical and anatomic pathology. Owned by the ... more than half of the nation's university ...
... ARUP Laboratories is a national reference laboratory ... research and development. ARUP offers an extensive ... medical tests in clinical and anatomic pathology. ... Laboratories' clients include more than half of ...
Medicine Products: