Decreased brain dopamine cell numbers in human cocaine users

Little, Karley Y.; Ramssen, Eric; Welchko, Ryan; Volberg, Vitaly; Roland, Courtney J.; Cassin, Barbara

doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2008.10.034

Cited by 92 publications

(71 citation statements)

References 65 publications

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“…35 Long-term exposure to cocaine diminishes the dopaminergic components of the striatum and midbrain. 36 There is also evidence suggesting that smoking crack cocaine carries a higher risk of neurotoxicity than cocaine use alone. 37 Therefore, an increase in GDNF could be associated with a compensatory mechanism operating during detoxification.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neurotrophic factors in women with crack cocaine dependence during early abstinence: the role of early life stress

Viola

Tractenberg

Levandowski

et al. 2014

J Psychiatry Neurosci

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neurotrophic factors in women with crack cocaine dependence during early abstinence: the role of early life stress

Viola

Tractenberg

Levandowski

et al. 2014

J Psychiatry Neurosci

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“…Following withdrawal from prolonged cocaine selfadministration GFAP expression is reduced in the NAc, an effect similar to alcohol (Scofield et al, 2016). In addition, post-mortem analysis of human cocaine abusers found evidence for increased microglial activation, particularly in the SNc (Little et al, 2009). Observing these changes in antigen expression demonstrates that the administration of some psychostimulants affect glia as well as neurons.…”

Section: Psychostimulants Glia and Neuroimmune Signalingmentioning

confidence: 95%

Glial and Neuroimmune Mechanisms as Critical Modulators of Drug Use and Abuse

Lacagnina

Rivera

Bilbo

2016

Neuropsychopharmacol

217

170

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Drugs of abuse cause persistent alterations in synaptic plasticity that may underlie addiction behaviors. Evidence suggests glial cells have an essential and underappreciated role in the development and maintenance of drug abuse by influencing neuronal and synaptic functions in multifaceted ways. Microglia and astrocytes perform critical functions in synapse formation and refinement in the developing brain, and there is growing evidence that disruptions in glial function may be implicated in numerous neurological disorders throughout the lifespan. Linking evidence of function in health and under pathological conditions, this review will outline the glial and neuroimmune mechanisms that may contribute to drug-abuse liability, exploring evidence from opioids, alcohol, and psychostimulants. Drugs of abuse can activate microglia and astrocytes through signaling at innate immune receptors, which in turn influence neuronal function not only through secretion of soluble factors (eg, cytokines and chemokines) but also potentially through direct remodeling of the synapses. In sum, this review will argue that neural-glial interactions represent an important avenue for advancing our understanding of substance abuse disorders.

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“…A reduced uptake of l-dopa (the precursor to dopamine) has also been reported in abstinent cocaine users . Some recent evidence suggests that cocaine may even be a dopaminergic neurotoxin within the mid brain (Little et al 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%