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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by linkadge on May 23, 2010, at 7:54:28
I had read about 10 years ago how drugs like cocaine and (to a lesser extent) methylphenidate activated a protein called detaFosB in the neucleus accumbens. Supposedly this protein turned on in response to cocaine, and was hard to inactivate (thus creating addiction).
In an interesting twist, the following article (below) suggests that deltaFosB is actually higher in the neucleus accumbens of mice that are resistant to stress. The animals that display anhedonia after stress have very low levls of deltaFosB in the NAC, wherease animals that are resistant display higher levels of the protein (in the NAC).
This would almost suggest (contrary to previous studies) that activation of the protein by these (or other) drugs could actually be beneficial (?) See:
http://biopsychiatry.com/antidepressants/deltafosb.html
Linkadge
Posted by SLS on May 23, 2010, at 10:14:19
In reply to cocaine + addiction protein + depression, posted by linkadge on May 23, 2010, at 7:54:28
> I had read about 10 years ago how drugs like cocaine and (to a lesser extent) methylphenidate activated a protein called detaFosB in the neucleus accumbens. Supposedly this protein turned on in response to cocaine, and was hard to inactivate (thus creating addiction).
>
> In an interesting twist, the following article (below) suggests that deltaFosB is actually higher in the neucleus accumbens of mice that are resistant to stress. The animals that display anhedonia after stress have very low levls of deltaFosB in the NAC, wherease animals that are resistant display higher levels of the protein (in the NAC).
>
> This would almost suggest (contrary to previous studies) that activation of the protein by these (or other) drugs could actually be beneficial (?) See:
>
> http://biopsychiatry.com/antidepressants/deltafosb.html
>Is this what is behind the process of sensitization seen with cocaine?
I don't have the mental energy to read the whole article.
- Scott
Posted by desolationrower on May 23, 2010, at 17:50:53
In reply to Re: cocaine + addiction protein + depression, posted by SLS on May 23, 2010, at 10:14:19
I would suppose there is a group of stress-intolerant anhedonic people who are antipredisposed to addiction to stimulants.
and a group of people prone to abuse them, for who abuse is quite harmful, probably more like a ADD hyperactive personality.
-d/r
Posted by linkadge on May 23, 2010, at 20:29:40
In reply to Re: cocaine + addiction protein + depression, posted by desolationrower on May 23, 2010, at 17:50:53
While I am not seeking to downplay the addictiveness of drugs like cocaine...
in *some* animal studies, animals will use cocaine when they are subjected to stress, but will stop using it after the stressor subsides.
I know people who use drugs like cocaine as needed to get through rough patches in life (although, for the record I don't recomend it) :)
Linkadge
Posted by StillHopefull on May 24, 2010, at 20:21:04
In reply to cocaine + addiction protein + depression, posted by linkadge on May 23, 2010, at 7:54:28
Interesting... I experimented with cocaine a lot in the seventies and never could understand the appeal. It gave me energy but not much else. There was a period of several months when I used cocaine almost daily - boyfriend was drug smuggler (nice guy though). When I moved on from that relationship, no more cocaine. And I never missed it or craved more.
And then years later I was prescribed Adderal XR 40mg and used that daily for over 10 years. Gave that up pretty easily as well.
And never really had any problems with anxiety, only with depression. Could it be that I have a naturally low level of deltaFosB?
Posted by linkadge on May 25, 2010, at 14:01:40
In reply to Re: cocaine + addiction protein + depression, posted by StillHopefull on May 24, 2010, at 20:21:04
Yeah, theres definately something different about those who get addicted and those who don't.
Linkadge
This is the end of the thread.
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