Molecular mechanisms contributing to addiction resistance uncovered
Wednesday, July 22, 2015 - 11:30
in Biology & Nature
A genetic variant leading to a single change in the amino acid sequence of a cell surface protein, the mu-opioid receptor, is associated with lower susceptibility to a variety of addictive behaviors in humans, including smoking, alcoholism, and morphine abuse. A team of scientists reports evidence that the G allele in an analogous mouse model causes changes in hippocampal operation, and thus a 'loss of function' phenotype in the brain's microcircuitry.