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Psychostimulants, L-type calcium channels, kinases, and phosphatases

Anjali M Rajadhyaksha1, Barry E Kosofsky

  • 1Labortory of Molecular and Developmental Neuroscience, and Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129, USA. rajadhan@helix.mgh.harvard.edu

The Neuroscientist : a Review Journal Bringing Neurobiology, Neurology and Psychiatry
|September 10, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Voltage-gated L-type calcium channels are key to psychostimulant addiction. These channels trigger signaling pathways that alter gene expression, contributing to addiction

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Voltage-gated L-type calcium channels (LCCs) are implicated in psychostimulant addiction.
  • LCCs regulate intracellular calcium levels, influencing neuronal function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advances in understanding LCC-mediated signaling pathways.
  • To explore the role of LCCs in molecular neuroadaptations to psychostimulants.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on LCCs and psychostimulant addiction.
  • Analysis of signal transduction pathways activated by LCCs.
  • Examination of gene expression changes following psychostimulant exposure.

Main Results:

  • LCCs activate calcium second-messenger pathways.
  • These pathways regulate protein phosphorylation and target gene expression.
  • Molecular neuroadaptations contributing to addiction are linked to LCC activity.

Conclusions:

  • LCCs play a significant role in the neurobiological basis of psychostimulant addiction.
  • Understanding these pathways offers potential targets for therapeutic interventions.

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