Researchers have uncovered a key genetic switch that chronic cocaine [sic] or stress influences to cause the brain to descend into a pathological state. In studies with mice they showed how chronic cocaine changes gene activity to enhance the addictive reward from the drug. And they showed similarly how chronic stress induces the same kinds of changes that hypersensitizes the brain, causing depression-like symptoms.
The researchers said their basic finding in the animals could lead to better treatments for addiction, depression and other psychiatric disorders.
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"The functions of HDAC5 described here provide new insight into the pathogenesis of drug addiction, depression, and other stress-related syndromes," they wrote. "This fundamentally new insight into the molecular underpinnings of chronic maladaptation in brain could lead to the development of improved treatments for addiction, depression, and other chronic psychiatric disorders."
Shh . . . TECHNOCORRECTIONS at work here.
Friday, November 09, 2007
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