Promising New Drug Targets for Cocaine Addiction Found

Researchers from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have identified a new molecular mechanism by which cocaine alters the brain’s reward circuits and causes addiction. The research team discovered two key players that contribute to the addiction. An abundant enzyme (PARP-1) and synaptic gene (Sidekick-1) effect a reward circuit in the brain, changing the way genes are expressed in the nucleus accumbens. Both are said to influence the rewarding effects of cocaine. Scientists explain the discovery offers new leads into the development of addiction treatments and will help identify other proteins regulated by cocaine. To read more about the results of this study, click here.