Cocaine use causes 'profound changes' in the brain that lead to an increased risk of relapse due to stress - according to new research from the University of East Anglia.
New research published today in The Journal of Neuroscience identifies a molecular mechanism in the reward centre of the brain that influences how recovering cocaine addicts might relapse after stressful events.
Importantly, the study identifies a potential mechanism for protecting against such relapses with treatment.
The research team looked at the effects of cocaine in rat brain cells (in vitro) and in live rats - particularly their 'cocaine seeking' response to stress.
Lead researcher Dr Peter McCormick, from UEA's School of Pharmacy, said: "Relapse among cocaine addicts is a major problem. We wanted to find out what causes it.
"Neuropeptides are messenger molecules that carry information between neurons in the brain. They form the brain's communications system.
"We looked at the interaction between two particular neuropeptides in the part of the brain that is to do with reward, motivation and drug addiction among other things.
"We had speculated that there might be a direct communication between neuroreceptors controlling stress and reward. When we tested this, we found this to indeed be the case.
"Our research showed that the release of neuropeptides influences activity in this part of the brain and that profound changes occur at the neuroreceptor level due to exposure to cocaine.
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Credit: University of East Anglia
"We showed that cocaine disrupts the interaction between receptors and these changes could increase the risk of relapse under stressful conditions.
"Importantly, we identify a potential mechanism for protection against such relapse.
"By restoring the broken interaction, we may be able to minimize stress-driven relapse in addicts. This research lays the groundwork for the development of such approaches.
"Although our study is in rodents, the same receptors have been shown to impact human stress and drug addiction.
"Cocaine has a relatively unique effect on the brain. However, the reward centre is crucial for addictive behaviours.
"Studies on post-traumatic stress disorder have shown traumatic events can have profound influences on receptors in this region of the brain, perhaps rendering soldiers more prone to addiction. Although speculative, it would not surprise me to see similar results in other situations, whether drug or stress related."
Explore further: The yin and yang of overcoming cocaine addiction
More information: 'Orexin-CRF Receptor Heteromers in the Ventral Tegmental Area as Targets for Cocaine' is published in The Journal of Neuroscience on April 28.
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Credit: University of East Anglia
Cocaine use causes 'profound changes' in the brain that lead to an increased risk of relapse due to stress - according to new research from the University of East Anglia.
New research published today in The Journal of Neuroscience identifies a molecular mechanism in the reward centre of the brain that influences how recovering cocaine addicts might relapse after stressful events.
Importantly, the study identifies a potential mechanism for protecting against such relapses with treatment.
The research team looked at the effects of cocaine in rat brain cells (in vitro) and in live rats - particularly their 'cocaine seeking' response to stress.
Lead researcher Dr Peter McCormick, from UEA's School of Pharmacy, said: "Relapse among cocaine addicts is a major problem. We wanted to find out what causes it.
"Neuropeptides are messenger molecules that carry information between neurons in the brain. They form the brain's communications system.
"We looked at the interaction between two particular neuropeptides in the part of the brain that is to do with reward, motivation and drug addiction among other things.
"We had speculated that there might be a direct communication between neuroreceptors controlling stress and reward. When we tested this, we found this to indeed be the case.
"Our research showed that the release of neuropeptides influences activity in this part of the brain and that profound changes occur at the neuroreceptor level due to exposure to cocaine.
This video is not supported by your browser at this time.
Credit: University of East Anglia
"We showed that cocaine disrupts the interaction between receptors and these changes could increase the risk of relapse under stressful conditions.
"Importantly, we identify a potential mechanism for protection against such relapse.
"By restoring the broken interaction, we may be able to minimize stress-driven relapse in addicts. This research lays the groundwork for the development of such approaches.
"Although our study is in rodents, the same receptors have been shown to impact human stress and drug addiction.
"Cocaine has a relatively unique effect on the brain. However, the reward centre is crucial for addictive behaviours.
"Studies on post-traumatic stress disorder have shown traumatic events can have profound influences on receptors in this region of the brain, perhaps rendering soldiers more prone to addiction. Although speculative, it would not surprise me to see similar results in other situations, whether drug or stress related."
Explore further: The yin and yang of overcoming cocaine addiction
More information: 'Orexin-CRF Receptor Heteromers in the Ventral Tegmental Area as Targets for Cocaine' is published in The Journal of Neuroscience on April 28.
Medical Xpress on facebook
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The yin and yang of overcoming cocaine addiction
Yaoying Ma says that biology, by nature, has a yin and a yang—a push and a pull. Addiction, particularly relapse, she finds, is no exception.
Novel compound halts cocaine addiction and relapse behaviors
A novel compound that targets an important brain receptor has a dramatic effect against a host of cocaine addiction behaviors, including relapse behavior, a University at Buffalo animal study has found.
Researchers one step closer to cocaine antidote
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have gained new insight into the mechanism behind a protein dopamine transporter that could help in the development of future medical treatment against cocaine addiction.
New study details how cocaine really works in the brain, suggests possibile addiction treatment
A research team led by the University of Colorado Boulder has discovered a mechanism in the brain that is key to making cocaine seem pleasurable, a finding that could lead to a drug treatment for fighting addiction.
Research offers hope for treatment of cocaine addiction
New discoveries by researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) offer potential for development of a first-ever pharmacological treatment for cocaine addiction.
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Most of the time, we learn only gradually, incrementally building connections between actions or events and outcomes. But there are exceptions—every once in a while, something happens and we immediately ...
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Researchers at MIT's Picower Institute for Learning and Memory have shown for the first time that a common neurotransmitter acts via a single type of neuron to enable the brain to process information more ...
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A new DARPA program aims to investigate the role of neural "replay" in the formation and recall of memory, with the goal of helping individuals better remember specific episodic events and learned skills. ...
Women show persistent memory impairment after concussion
Women may have a more difficult time than men in recovering from concussion, according to a new study published online in the journal Radiology.
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