Articles tagged with Dopamine
Research suggests that variations in the alpha synuclein gene contribute to alcohol craving in certain individuals. The study found eight SNPs associated with alcohol craving, but not with dependence, indicating a possible subtype of alcoholics influenced by this genetic factor.
A Mayo Clinic study found a link between dopamine agonist medications and compulsive gambling in RLS patients. The medication-induced behavior worsened with increasing doses, but was reversible when the dose was reduced or alternative medication was used.
A Stanford University study suggests that boosting endocannabinoid levels in the brain may be a new treatment approach for Parkinson's disease. Researchers combined a drug with an experimental compound to trigger improved movement in mice with a condition similar to Parkinson's, showing promising results.
A team of Canadian researchers discovered a distinct dopamine signalling complex in the brain, which may have a significant role in understanding and treating schizophrenia. This novel target involves two different types of dopamine receptors that only create brain signals when both are stimulated at the same time.
A study by Marina Picciotto and colleagues at Yale University has identified a crucial gene involved in nicotine-induced behaviors in the brain. The researchers found that blocking CREB activity in the nucleus accumbens blocks nicotine reward, suggesting potential new targets for smoking cessation therapies.
Researchers found lower levels of dopamine transporters in certain brain regions of ADHD patients compared to controls. ADHD patients experienced higher levels of inattention despite similar dopamine transporter levels, indicating a complex relationship between dopamine and attention.
Researchers propose a new classification system for addictive drugs based on their effect on dopamine levels in the brain. This new classification may help in directing research towards more effective treatment of addiction.
Researchers from the University of Bonn have discovered how the eye adapts to darkness by forming a network that combines signals from multiple light-sensitive rods, boosting sensitivity. The study found that dopamine triggers the closure of a channel in amacrine II cells, inhibiting communication and allowing for signal focusing.
Georgia Tech/Emory researchers used dopamine to create a polymer that stimulates nerve tissue to regrow and reconnect, offering a potential treatment for neurological disorders. The material degrades over time, allowing the nerve to grow in a hostile environment.
Researchers have found that ghrelin stimulates the same pleasure and reward neurons as food, sex, and drugs, leading to increased food intake. Ghrelin binds to receptors in the brain's ventral tegmental area (VTA), triggering dopamine production.
Researchers found that dopamine deficiency in Parkinson's causes loss of muscle control and paralysis due to disruption of coordinated activity in a particular neural circuitry. A new treatment pathway aims to restore this dopamine-regulated circuitry coordination.
A new study from the University of Michigan finds that the brain chemical dopamine is involved in both pleasure and pain responses, with variations between individuals affecting vulnerability to drug addiction. The research may help explain why some people are more prone to developing addictions during times of stress or chronic pain.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati found that MDMA can increase the survival of dopamine cells during fetal development. This may lead to better therapies for neurological diseases like Parkinson's. The study suggests that preventing dopamine cell death is key to finding lasting treatments.
Neuroscientists at Duke University Medical Center discovered that critical nerve cells in mice fire all at the same time, overwhelming the brain's ability to control movement. This finding contradicts current theories behind Parkinson's disease and may help develop new therapeutics.
A study by the University of Pittsburgh found that dopamine levels remain elevated for an hour after neurons are stimulated, suggesting new mechanisms for sustained dopamine availability. This could have important implications for treating neurological disorders related to dopamine imbalance.
Researchers found that dopamine plays a critical role in regulating sleep and brain activity associated with dreaming. Animal models of Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia exhibited sleep disturbances when dopamine levels were reduced or increased, suggesting a link between dopamine imbalances and sleep problems in these conditions.
A new study suggests that higher levels of dopamine D2 receptors may provide a protective effect for those most at risk of developing alcoholism. The research found that these receptors, involved in emotional reactions and cognitive control, are elevated in the brains of participants with a family history of alcoholism.
Researchers discovered that dopamine neurons in manganese-exposed animals don't release dopamine when stimulated, suggesting a dysfunctional dopamine system. The study found effects of manganese exposure at high blood concentrations, similar to those in children and adults with environmental or occupational exposure.
A five-year study by The Parkinson's Institute suggests that nicotine treatment can reduce dopamine cell damage in Parkinson's disease. This protective effect may explain the lower incidence of Parkinson's among smokers, and could potentially lead to new therapy options for early-stage patients.
Researchers at University at Buffalo found that methamphetamine increases expression of DC-SIGN receptor, allowing more virus to invade the immune system and promote HIV infection. The study suggests that dopamine receptor blockers could be beneficial in reducing HIV infection in high-risk populations.
Researchers found that novelty activates brain's midbrain region, regulating motivation and dopamine release. Combining new facts with familiar information improves memory recall, even after a delay.
Researchers have created a new genetic model for Parkinson's disease using mice with a deleted TFAM gene, which mimics the human condition. The study shows that dopamine-producing nerve cells in the brain stem degenerate slowly, similar to humans with Parkinson's disease.
Research using PET imaging shows a significant correlation between initial dopamine receptor levels and self-administered cocaine use rates. Lower receptor levels are associated with higher cocaine use rates, suggesting that increasing D2 receptors may alleviate addiction.
A study by Emory University researchers found a connection between developmental exposure to the pesticide dieldrin and an increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease. The study suggests that early life exposures may contribute to neurodegeneration later in life.
Researchers discovered a dopamine drug that stimulates new neuron development and restores function in an animal model of Parkinson's disease. The treatment, 7-OH-DPAT, led to significant improvements in motor functions and neuronal connections.
A new study found that dopamine agonist cabergoline reduces hemoconcentration, ascites, and moderate to severe OHSS incidence in women at risk. The treatment could lead to better understanding of the mechanism of OHSS development and effective treatment options.
Researchers found increased dopamine levels in the dorsal striatum, a part of the brain involved in desire and motivation, when cocaine addicts watched a video featuring people using cocaine. This increase was associated with craving levels and largest in severely addicted subjects.
Researchers have found that an ADHD medication 'harmonizes' with the body's dopamine system, improving attention and focus in individuals. The study, presented at a medical conference, provides direct evidence of the drug's beneficial effect, which was previously speculative.
Researchers genetically altered mice to resist cocaine's effects, discovering that blocking dopamine transporters is crucial for producing a high. The study aims to find drugs that prevent cocaine from binding to transporters while allowing the transporter protein to function.
A Hopkins-led clinical study found that men's brains show a significantly higher dopamine release in response to amphetamines compared to women. This discovery may lead to more effective treatments for amphetamine abuse and brain diseases.
The new guidelines provide recommendations for early diagnosis, effective therapies, and screening for depression and psychosis. Regular exercise and therapy can also help manage movement difficulties, improving overall quality of life for those with Parkinson disease.
Pitt researchers identify critical brain area regulating dopamine function, which could explain disruptions in normal behaviors and psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia and drug addiction. The discovery provides new insights into the brain's reward system and its role in modulating goal-directed behavior.
A male-specific gene, SRY, has been found to be linked to the control of physical movement and may contribute to the higher incidence of Parkinson's disease in men. The protein, which determines male gender, was discovered in British scientists in 1990.
Researchers found that the SRY gene plays a crucial role in regulating dopamine-producing brain cells, which malfunction in Parkinson's disease. The study suggests that men are more susceptible to the disease due to lower levels of this gene, while women may have an alternative protective mechanism involving estrogens.
Researchers created a genetically altered mouse strain with overexpressed dopamine receptors in the striatum, which showed specific cognitive deficits similar to human schizophrenics. The study suggests that cognitive symptoms may arise from subtle genetic differences in the dopamine receptor gene.
Researchers identified a preclinical phase of Parkinson's disease characterized by mild motor symptoms, which can be detected through assessment of subjective complaints. Over 6,000 elderly people were studied for an average of 5.8 years, revealing that those who reported stiffness, tremors or imbalance were more likely to develop PD.
A major gene therapy advance for treating Parkinson's disease has been funded by the Fox Foundation grant, with RheoGene Inc. developing a technology to manage gene expression. The therapy uses a patented small-molecule mediator to turn genes on or off, offering a potential solution to replacing lost dopamine in the brain.
Research at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that cocaine exposure alters brain chemistry, making neurons more susceptible to damage from environmental toxins. The study suggests a potential link between cocaine use and the development of Parkinson's disease in both adults and their offspring.
Studies using a laboratory model of PRODH deficiency demonstrate the role of COMT in compensating for overactive dopamine signaling, which contributes to schizophrenia symptoms. The findings show that disruptions in gene interaction, particularly between PRODH and COMT, play a crucial role in the development of schizophrenia.
Lorraine Iacovitti and her team have created a quicker method using defined additives from human origin to differentiate human embryonic stem cells into dopamine-producing neurons in three weeks. This new approach aims to reduce the risk of immune rejection by eliminating animal-derived substances.
A study finds that youth with the 22q11.2 deletion syndrome and a specific COMT gene variant exhibit significant cognitive decline and psychosis, with excessive dopamine levels contributing to these effects. The study implicates the COMT gene in schizophrenia development, highlighting its potential role in information processing distur...
OHSU neurologists offer reliable strategies for diagnosing and managing Parkinson's disease. The article highlights the importance of non-pharmacological therapies such as exercise, nutrition, and emotional health in addition to pharmacological care.
A study found that fetal alcohol exposure can alter the dopamine system in monkeys, affecting cognition and behavior. The timing of exposure during gestation varies the impact, with early exposure blunting the system and later exposure leading to supersensitive receptors.
A new Yale study reconciles two long-standing models of schizophrenia: the dopamine hypothesis and the PCP Model. Researchers found that drugs like ketamine, which block glutamate receptors, produce a more complete schizophrenia-like state than amphetamine.
Researchers at the University at Buffalo have identified microtubules as a critical target for treating Parkinson's disease, which is caused by damage to these intracellular highways. The study found that protecting microtubules can prevent the toxic effects of rotenone on dopamine-producing neurons.
Researchers discover that amphetamines can alter movement independently of dopamine, opening up new directions in the search for anti-Parkinsonian drugs. The findings suggest that drugs with similar chemical attributes might offer useful alternatives to current therapies.
Researchers have found that amphetamine-related drugs, such as MDMA, can effectively alleviate symptoms of Parkinson's disease in a mouse model. By eliminating dopamine recycling and production, these drugs bypass the usual limitations of L-DOPA treatment, offering new hope for patients with the debilitating condition.
Researchers found that pramipexole significantly decreased pain in patients with fibromyalgia, with at least a 50% decrease noted by 42% of the group. Overall, 82% of patients taking pramipexole reported some improvement in pain.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School have identified a novel function for the molecule Par-4 as a binding partner for dopamine receptor D2. This discovery suggests that Par-4 may play a crucial role in regulating depression-like behaviors, providing a potential new target for antidepressants.
Dopamine's prolonged effects may be key to understanding psychiatric conditions, which are characterized by persistently high brain messenger levels. Researchers found a second mechanism by which chronic dopamine affects the brain, possibly indefinitely.
A study by Mayo Clinic researchers found a rare link between dopamine agonist drugs and pathological gambling in Parkinson's patients. The behavior can be reversed by stopping the medication, but it affects only a small number of patients.
Researchers report a link between dopamine agonist therapy and pathological gambling in Parkinson's disease patients. Treatment discontinuation resolves symptoms, suggesting dopamine D3 receptors may be responsible for the behavior.
Researchers found that genetically engineered flies with turned-off dopamine cells or those receiving dopamine inhibitors display converse behavioral effects to normal flies on methamphetamine. The study suggests dopamine plays a crucial role in modulating neuronal activity and assigning saliency to sensory stimuli.
A University of Pittsburgh study identifies specific brain regions involved in anorexia nervosa, including the basal ganglia and its relation to reward and reinforcement. The research suggests that altered dopamine function may contribute to the disorder's symptoms, including obsessive behaviors and self-denial.
Researchers have discovered that an experimental drug can reverse the loss of nerve fibres in Parkinson's Disease. The study found that dopamine-containing nerve fibres had sprouted back in the brain, leading to improved motor function and sustained benefits even after treatment cessation.
A new study found that healthy individuals carrying a specific variant of the dopamine transporter gene have significantly higher levels of dopamine transporter in their brains. The results suggest that this variation may influence concentrations of extracellular dopamine and are relevant to conditions such as substance abuse, tobacco ...
Scientists detect dopamine release from nucleus accumbens in rats, revealing three distinct signals associated with cocaine administration. The findings suggest that dopamine release transients are highly plastic and governed by motivation, learned association, and pharmacological actions.
A study found that increased activity in the prefrontal cortex predicts higher dopamine levels in the midbrain in individuals with the val COMT gene type, while decreased activity is seen in those with the met type. This suggests a 'tuning' model where dopamine regulates signal-to-noise ratios in brain cells.
A study by OHSU scientist David Grandy found a strong correlation between dopamine supersensitivity and high-affinity D2 receptors in individuals with schizophrenia. This discovery could lead to improved treatments for schizophrenics and amphetamine abusers.
A study in mice suggests that dopamine and serotonin neurotransmitters sometimes interact, causing delays in mood stabilization. This interaction may lead to alternative approaches for developing antidepressant treatments that target serotonin entry into dopamine terminals.