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.
Country-Specific Mortality and Growth Failure in Infancy and Yound Children and Association With Material Stature
Use interactive graphics and maps to view and sort country-specific infant and early dhildhood mortality and growth failure data and their association with maternal
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