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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 22, 2026

An Assay for Measuring the Effects of Ethanol on the Locomotion Speed of Caenorhabditis elegans
10:35

An Assay for Measuring the Effects of Ethanol on the Locomotion Speed of Caenorhabditis elegans

Published on: April 9, 2015

Cocaine modulates locomotion behavior in C. elegans.

Alex Ward1, Vyvyca J Walker, Zhaoyang Feng

  • 1Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America.

Plos One
|June 19, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Cocaine affects worm movement by targeting the serotonin system. Serotonin transporter MOD-5 and receptor MOD-1 are crucial for this cocaine-induced behavioral change in C. elegans.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pharmacology
  • Behavioral Science

Background:

  • Cocaine is a known inhibitor of monoamine transporters (dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine).
  • Cocaine's complex behavioral effects in mammals are not fully understood.
  • C. elegans offers a model system to study drug mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the behavioral effects of acute cocaine administration in C. elegans.
  • To identify the neurotransmitter systems involved in cocaine's action in this model organism.

Main Methods:

  • Acute cocaine treatment was administered to C. elegans.
  • Locomotor activity was measured to assess behavioral changes.
  • Genetic analysis involving C. elegans serotonin transporter (MOD-5) and serotonin receptor (MOD-1) mutants was performed.

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Paradigms for Pharmacological Characterization of C. elegans Synaptic Transmission Mutants
18:01

Paradigms for Pharmacological Characterization of C. elegans Synaptic Transmission Mutants

Published on: August 18, 2008

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 22, 2026

An Assay for Measuring the Effects of Ethanol on the Locomotion Speed of Caenorhabditis elegans
10:35

An Assay for Measuring the Effects of Ethanol on the Locomotion Speed of Caenorhabditis elegans

Published on: April 9, 2015

Swimming Induced Paralysis to Assess Dopamine Signaling in Caenorhabditis elegans
07:36

Swimming Induced Paralysis to Assess Dopamine Signaling in Caenorhabditis elegans

Published on: April 3, 2019

Paradigms for Pharmacological Characterization of C. elegans Synaptic Transmission Mutants
18:01

Paradigms for Pharmacological Characterization of C. elegans Synaptic Transmission Mutants

Published on: August 18, 2008

Main Results:

  • Cocaine treatment significantly altered C. elegans locomotor activity.
  • The observed behavioral response to cocaine was dependent on the serotonin transporter MOD-5, not dopamine transporters.
  • The ionotropic serotonin receptor MOD-1 was identified as essential for mediating cocaine's effects on locomotion.

Conclusions:

  • Cocaine modulates locomotion behavior in C. elegans.
  • The serotoninergic system, specifically the MOD-5 transporter and MOD-1 receptor, is primarily responsible for cocaine's behavioral effects in this organism.
  • This study highlights C. elegans as a valuable model for understanding the neurobiological mechanisms of addictive substances.