Scientists have discovered genes associated with addiction to psychostimulants – study
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During the experiment, scientists found out that mice without the Period 2 (Per2) gene, which is associated with the circadian rhythm (that is, with the cycle of sleep and alertness), have a tendency to abuse methamphetamine. This was discovered by a team of scientists from Sahmyeong University in South Korea. The results of their research were published in the journal Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, writes Medicalxpress. Scientists first investigated the motivational effect of these drugs and their effect on the motor activity of mice using special tests. They compared them with the actions of a control group consisting of wild mice. The scientists noted that mice without the Per2 gene showed a stronger dependence on methamphetamine compared to wild-type mice. However, their response to cocaine was the same. Photo: JacobSt/Depositphotos “The greater sensitivity of mice without the Per2 gene specifically to methamphetamine, but not to cocaine, suggests that different genetic factors influence vulnerability to different drugs,” says one of the researchers, Dr. Kim. Scientists have also identified genes in RNA that influence addictive reactions. They identified 19 genes that were activated only in response to repeated doses of methamphetamine, but not cocaine. And then they compared them with areas of the brain that respond to drug addiction. In this way, they discovered two specific genes, Arc and Junb, that are only present in mice without Per2 under the influence of a psychostimulant. Scientists suggest that these specific genes may be markers of susceptibility to methamphetamine abuse. “If we can confirm the role of Arc and Junb expression in drug abuse vulnerability, they may even be considered as potential targets for the treatment or prevention of drug abuse,” adds Dr. Kim. We will remind you that earlier we wrote about 5 signs-markers that indicate that a person has an addiction. Read also: Artificial embryos without sperm and eggs: scientists revealed the details of the experiment
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