Swiss researchers found out that the occurrence of dependence on cocaine is associated with a balance in the brain of two neurotransmitters – dopamine and serotonin. The article dedicated to the work of this mechanism is published in the journal Science.
Like other drugs, cocaine blocks reverse seizure of neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin. However, dependence or addiction is an obsessive need for a substance, even despite negative consequences – a 20 percent of people of Cocaine consumers appears.
For its experiments, researchers from the Geneva University taught mice on their own and voluntarily accept cocaine. Then they set an obstacle to consumption – with each taking the drug, the mouse was tested an unpleasant signal: they were either blown by air or beat the current. 80 percent of mice stopped Cocaine’s consumption in contrast to the rest of the group.
The experiment was then repeated in mice, in which serotonin protein conveyor no longer binds to the substance – so when receiving cocaine, only the choice of dopamine was intensified. The dependence was produced in 60 percent of mice. Serotonin’s introduction reduced this figure to 20 percent.
It turned out that serotonin acts as an inner brake. “Enhancement between synapses in the cerebral cortex and in the dorsal part of the striped body (final brain -” tape.ru “), dopamine stimulates synaptic plasticity. This intensive stimulation of the remuneration system leads to dependence. Serotonin reverse effect – it suppresses the called Dopamine feedback and thereby keeps the remuneration system under control, “explains one of the researchers, Professor of Geneva University Christian Lushner. In disruption of the balance of two neurotransmitters and the dependence on cocaine occurs.