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Published on: May 3, 2017
Glutamate transmission in addiction.
Peter W Kalivas1, Ryan T Lalumiere, Lori Knackstedt
1Department of Neurosciences, 173 Ashley Ave, BSB410, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29464, USA. kalivasp@musc.edu
Glutamate transmission in the brain plays a key role in addiction. Targeting plasticity in the nucleus accumbens may offer new treatments for drug addiction.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Addiction Research
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Cortico-striatal glutamate transmission is linked to addiction behaviors like drug-seeking and locomotor sensitization.
- Plasticity in glutamate pathways is crucial for both establishing and expressing addiction-related behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of cortico-striatal glutamate transmission in addiction.
- To highlight the importance of nucleus accumbens glutamatergic plasticity for addiction expression.
- To explore potential pharmacotherapeutic strategies targeting glutamate plasticity for addiction treatment.
Main Methods:
- The study reviews existing research on glutamate transmission and addiction.
- It analyzes the differential roles of ventral tegmental area and nucleus accumbens plasticity.
Main Results:
- Transient plasticity in the ventral tegmental area is vital for initiating addiction behaviors.
- Sustained glutamatergic plasticity in the nucleus accumbens is critical for the expression of addiction.
Conclusions:
- Glutamate transmission in cortico-striatal circuits is a key factor in addiction.
- Targeting nucleus accumbens glutamatergic plasticity presents a promising therapeutic avenue for treating drug addiction.
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