Metallothiol transferase FosB: Difference between revisions
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'''INTRODUCTION''' | '''INTRODUCTION''' | ||
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The regulation of gene expression is believed to be related to some of the behavioral abnormalities associated with drug dependency. Due to genetic changes that are related to chronic drug use, transcription factors have been implicated in the mechanisms of addiction <ref name ="James"/>. Addiction is thought to develop through certain pathways in the brain following chronic drug use. These areas include the nucleus accumbens, the ventral tegmental area, and the mesolimbic/dopaminergic pathway. Studies have shown that with long term use of amphetamine, cocaine, ethanol, methamphetamine, morphine, neuroleptics, nicotine, and THC, DeltaFosB accumulates primarily in the NAc and dorsal striatum. | The regulation of gene expression is believed to be related to some of the behavioral abnormalities associated with drug dependency. Due to genetic changes that are related to chronic drug use, transcription factors have been implicated in the mechanisms of addiction <ref name ="James"/>. Addiction is thought to develop through certain pathways in the brain following chronic drug use. These areas include the nucleus accumbens, the ventral tegmental area, and the mesolimbic/dopaminergic pathway. Studies have shown that with long term use of amphetamine, cocaine, ethanol, methamphetamine, morphine, neuroleptics, nicotine, and THC, DeltaFosB accumulates primarily in the NAc and dorsal striatum. | ||
Studies have shown that when DeltaFosB has been overexpressed in mice, drug-seeking behavior is increased. Additionally, it increases sensitivity to opioids,and causes greater dependence and tolerance to morphine. | Studies have shown that when DeltaFosB has been overexpressed in mice, drug-seeking behavior is increased. Additionally, it increases sensitivity to opioids, and causes greater dependence and tolerance to morphine. | ||
It has also been found that levels of DeltaFosB are higher when drugs are self-administered rather than experimentally injected. This implies that DeltaFosB levels may be affected by behavioral rather than purely physiological effects of the drug. | It has also been found that levels of DeltaFosB are higher when drugs are self-administered rather than experimentally injected. This implies that DeltaFosB levels may be affected by behavioral rather than purely physiological effects of the drug. | ||
This effect is underscored by a study which measured levels of DeltaFosB following a period of increased sexual activity <ref>Pitchers, K. K., Vialou, V., Nestler, E. J., Laviolette, S. R., Lehman, M. N., & Coolen, L. M. (2013). Natural and drug rewards act on common neural plasticity mechanisms with ΔFosB as a key mediator. The Journal of Neuroscience,33(8), 3434-3442.x</ref>. After a period of abstinence of 1, 7, or 28 days, levels of DeltaFosB in the Nucleus Accumbens were measured. As found in drug studies, DeltaFosB persisted in the NAc neurons of sexually active rats for at least 28 days after abstaining from the reward behavior. It can be concluded that there are similarities in the effects of both natural and drug rewards on the mesolimbic system. | This effect is underscored by a study which measured levels of DeltaFosB following a period of increased sexual activity <ref>Pitchers, K. K., Vialou, V., Nestler, E. J., Laviolette, S. R., Lehman, M. N., & Coolen, L. M. (2013). Natural and drug rewards act on common neural plasticity mechanisms with ΔFosB as a key mediator. The Journal of Neuroscience,33(8), 3434-3442.x</ref>. After a period of abstinence of 1, 7, or 28 days, levels of DeltaFosB in the Nucleus Accumbens were measured. As found in drug studies, DeltaFosB persisted in the NAc neurons of sexually active rats for at least 28 days after abstaining from the reward behavior. It can be concluded that there are similarities in the effects of both natural and drug rewards on the mesolimbic system. | ||
