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Cocaine Addiction

Cocaine Addiction A newly identified mechanism may help explain why repeated cocaine administration leads to strong cravings for the drug, according to research funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Previous studies have demonstrated that repeated cocaine administration leads to persistent changes both in gene expression and in the structure of the nucleus accumbens of the brain. Now a multi-institutional team of scientists has demonstrated, through a series of experiments in mice, that repeated cocaine administration suppresses the activity of G9A, an enzyme that helps regulate whether genes are turned on or off (Maze I et al. Science. 2010;327[5962]:213-216). The researchers demonstrated that suppression of G9A is linked to craving and to some structural changes in the brain associated with chronic cocaine use. Additionally, they showed that overexpression of G9A prevents such craving. The findings suggest potential new targets for therapies for cocaine addiction. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png JAMA American Medical Association

Cocaine Addiction

JAMA , Volume 303 (8) – Feb 24, 2010

Cocaine Addiction

Abstract

A newly identified mechanism may help explain why repeated cocaine administration leads to strong cravings for the drug, according to research funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Previous studies have demonstrated that repeated cocaine administration leads to persistent changes both in gene expression and in the structure of the nucleus accumbens of the brain. Now a multi-institutional team of scientists has demonstrated, through a series of experiments in mice, that repeated...
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Publisher
American Medical Association
Copyright
Copyright © 2010 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved.
ISSN
0098-7484
eISSN
1538-3598
DOI
10.1001/jama.2010.166
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

A newly identified mechanism may help explain why repeated cocaine administration leads to strong cravings for the drug, according to research funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Previous studies have demonstrated that repeated cocaine administration leads to persistent changes both in gene expression and in the structure of the nucleus accumbens of the brain. Now a multi-institutional team of scientists has demonstrated, through a series of experiments in mice, that repeated cocaine administration suppresses the activity of G9A, an enzyme that helps regulate whether genes are turned on or off (Maze I et al. Science. 2010;327[5962]:213-216). The researchers demonstrated that suppression of G9A is linked to craving and to some structural changes in the brain associated with chronic cocaine use. Additionally, they showed that overexpression of G9A prevents such craving. The findings suggest potential new targets for therapies for cocaine addiction.

Journal

JAMAAmerican Medical Association

Published: Feb 24, 2010

Keywords: cocaine dependence

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