NPAS4 supports cocaine-conditioned cues in rodents by controlling the cell type-specific activation balance in the nucleus accumbens
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Breaking Down Cocaine Addiction
The discovery, detailed in an article in 'Nature Communications', sheds light on the mechanisms behind drug-context associations, which are critical factors in relapse vulnerability. The study, led by Christopher Cowan, Chairman of the Department of Neuroscience at MUSC, identifies the neuronal PAS domain protein 4 (NPAS4) as a key regulator in forming and maintaining drug-context associations.
Recreational Drugs are not Completely Safe
Recreational drugs are commonly used in rave parties. Serotonin syndrome can occur in patients taking N-benzylpiperazine.
Recreational drugs are commonly used in rave parties. Serotonin syndrome can occur in patients taking N-benzylpiperazine.
‘#Cocaine: The ultimate brain hijacker. New research reveals how this notorious drug manipulates your brain chemistry, leading to #drugaddiction.’
“These drug-context associations become future triggers for drug seeking,” explained Cowan, emphasising the importance of understanding how these associations are formed. The MUSC team focused on a small population of cells within the nucleus accumbens, a brain region known for regulating motivation and reward-associated learning. They discovered that NPAS4-expressing neurons increased in response to cocaine exposure. NPAS4, a transcription factor, regulates how cells respond to neuronal activity induced by various stimuli, including drugs. Surprisingly, the study found that NPAS4 in D2 dopamine receptor-expressing neurons, rather than D1 neurons, is crucial for context-associated drug seeking. D2 neurons typically act as a brake on drug-taking behaviour, but NPAS4 appears to weaken this brake, strengthening drug-context associations and increasing the likelihood of relapse.
“Drugs are presumably doing multiple things,” said Cowan, adding, “They're not only strengthening and forming the context memory, but also suppressing the brain's ability to oppose this association.” Understanding how NPAS4 mediates these effects could lead to new therapeutic targets aimed at reducing the risk of relapse, a breakthrough that would be fundamental.
Quiz on Drug Abuse
Drug abuse often starts with experimentation of a drug and results in problems at home, workplace and in relationships. Take this quiz to test your knowledge on drug ...
Drug abuse often starts with experimentation of a drug and results in problems at home, workplace and in relationships. Take this quiz to test your knowledge on drug ...
- NPAS4 supports cocaine-conditioned cues in rodents by controlling the cell type-specific activation balance in the nucleus accumbens - (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-50099-1)
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Drug Abuse Screening Test
Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST) is a screening test to find out if you need professional help with ‘Drug Abuse’ problem. This is only an anonymous self test.
Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST) is a screening test to find out if you need professional help with ‘Drug Abuse’ problem. This is only an anonymous self test.
Want to Quit Cocaine? Sound Waves Can Help
The researchers will assess whether the application of sound waves induces chemical modifications in the brain that lead to a reduction in cocaine cravings.
The researchers will assess whether the application of sound waves induces chemical modifications in the brain that lead to a reduction in cocaine cravings.
