Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Investigating Drivers of Antireward in Addiction Behavior with Anatomically Specific Single-Cell Gene Expression Methods
Published on: August 4, 2022
Dopamine and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor expression in peripheral blood of patients undergoing alcohol withdrawal
T Biermann1, D Bönsch, U Reulbach
1Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-University, Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany. teresa.biermann@psych.imed.uni-erlangen.de
Abstract:
The aim of the present pilot study was to explore whether a change in cerebral receptors can be demonstrated in human peripheral blood lymphocytes during alcohol withdrawal. Dopamine (D1 and D2) and NMDA (1 and 2B) receptor expressions of 14 male patients suffering from alcohol-dependency were assessed through quantitative RT-PCR. A significant difference in D1 receptor expression (T = 2.361; p = 0.035) in terms of up-regulation could be shown, though there were no significant changes concerning D2, NMDA1 or NMDA2B receptor expression.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine
Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena
Drugs Affecting Neurotransmitter Synthesis
Drugs Acting on Autonomic Ganglia: Stimulants
Ganglionic stimulants activate NM nicotinic receptors in autonomic ganglia, falling into two categories: nicotine mimetics [e.g., lobeline, dimethylpiperazine, tetramethylammonium] and muscarinic receptor agonists [e.g., muscarine, methacholine]. The first category's action is rapid and blocked by nicotinic receptor antagonists, while the second category's action is delayed and blocked by atropine-like agents. Nicotine, an alkaloid, affects the heart rate by stimulating sympathetic or...

