Molecular mechanisms of opiate and cocaine addiction

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

134 Scopus citations

Abstract

Chronic administration of opiates or cocaine has been shown to alter the activity or expression of diverse types of cellular proteins in specific target neurons within the central nervous system. Prominent examples include signaling proteins, such as receptors, G proteins, second-messenger synthetic enzymes, and protein kinases. It is now increasingly possible to relate particular molecular adaptations to specific behavioral actions of drugs of abuse in animal models of addiction. In addition, recent work has focused on a role for transcription factors, and the associated alterations in gene expression, in mediating part of this long-lasting, drug-induced molecular and behavioral plasticity.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)713-719
Number of pages7
JournalCurrent Opinion in Neurobiology
Volume7
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1997
Externally publishedYes

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Molecular mechanisms of opiate and cocaine addiction'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this