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Updated: Jul 4, 2026
11:26
Assessment of Dopaminergic Homeostasis in Mice by Use of High-performance Liquid Chromatography Analysis and Synaptosomal Dopamine Uptake
Published on: September 21, 2017
Dopamine transporter levels in cocaine dependent subjects
Paul Crits-Christoph1, Andrew Newberg, Nancy Wintering
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, 3535 Market Street, Suite 650, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. crits@mail.med.upenn.edu
Drug and Alcohol Dependence
|June 21, 2008
Summary
Cocaine dependence is linked to higher dopamine transporter (DAT) levels in the brain, as shown by 99mTc TRODAT SPECT scans. These elevated DAT levels correlate with recent cocaine abstinence.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Radiology
- Addiction Medicine
Background:
- Cocaine addiction is a major public health issue in the US.
- Cocaine's primary mechanism involves binding to the dopamine transporter (DAT).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate alterations in DAT levels in cocaine-dependent individuals using SPECT imaging.
- To explore the relationship between DAT levels and clinical factors in cocaine dependence.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 99mTc TRODAT SPECT brain scans for DAT level measurement.
- Compared DAT levels between 21 cocaine-dependent subjects and 21 healthy controls.
Main Results:
- Cocaine-dependent subjects exhibited significantly higher DAT levels in the anterior putamen, posterior putamen, and caudate compared to controls.
- DAT levels were 10-17% higher in cocaine users across these brain regions.
- DAT levels in the caudate and anterior putamen showed a negative correlation with days since last cocaine use.
Conclusions:
- SPECT imaging reveals elevated DAT levels in cocaine-dependent individuals.
- Higher DAT levels may indicate recent cocaine use, suggesting potential for monitoring abstinence.
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