Abstract
The effects of chronic cocaine use on D3 receptor mRNA expression in the human nucleus accumbens was assessed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. D3 receptor/cyclophilin mRNA ratios in the nucleus accumbens were increased 6-fold in cocaine overdose victims as compared to age-matched and drug-free control subjects. This finding demonstrates that chronic cocaine exposure leads to adaptive increases in the expression of D3 receptor mRNA in a critical reward center in brain.
Publication types
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Autopsy
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Cocaine / poisoning*
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DNA Primers
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Drug Overdose
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Humans
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Nucleus Accumbens / drug effects
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Nucleus Accumbens / metabolism*
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Polymerase Chain Reaction
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RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
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Receptors, Dopamine D2 / biosynthesis*
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Receptors, Dopamine D3
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Reference Values
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Transcription, Genetic / drug effects
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Up-Regulation
Substances
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DNA Primers
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DRD3 protein, human
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RNA, Messenger
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Receptors, Dopamine D2
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Receptors, Dopamine D3
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Cocaine