Genetics and Health

Cocaine Changes Genes

by Hsien Hsien Lei, PhD on October 24th, 2005

Cocaine is a powerfully addictive substance with short- and long-term effects on the brain. Researchers at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center have identified three genes which appear to change their activity level in the presence of cocaine - cFos, BDNF, and Cdk5.

Cocaine activated the following changes in rats:

• cFos was activated by acute doses of cocaine.
• cFos was desentized by chronic cocaine administration.
• BDNF was activated only during chronic cocaine administration
• Cdk5 was activated only during chronic cocaine administration

Addiction is something we all struggle with on some level whether it’s to the Internet, food, tobacco, or illicit substances. Learning how to control these impulses could make it easier to live a longer, healthier life.

Medical News Today, October 21, 2005

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POSTED IN: General Genetics and Health