Decreased brain dopamine cell numbers in human cocaine users

@article{Little2009DecreasedBD,
  title={Decreased brain dopamine cell numbers in human cocaine users},
  author={Karley Y. Little and Eric Ramssen and Ryan M. Welchko and Vitaly Volberg and Courtney J. Roland and B J Cassin},
  journal={Psychiatry Research},
  year={2009},
  volume={168},
  pages={173-180}
}
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88 Citations
Highly Influential Citations
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Background Citations
35
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Results Citations
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88 Citations

Cocaine Reduces the Neuronal Population While Upregulating Dopamine D2-Receptor-Expressing Neurons in Brain Reward Regions: Sex-Effects
TLDR
It is observed that cocaine exposed mice had a higher density of D2r-positive cells that was most prominent in mPFC and VTA and larger for females than for males, which could reflect a phenotypic shift in neurons that did not previously express Drd2 and merits further investigation.
Regional elevations in microglial activation and cerebral glucose utilization in frontal white matter tracts of rhesus monkeys following prolonged cocaine self-administration
TLDR
The present findings demonstrate an elevation in [3H]PK11195 binding in forebrain white matter tracts of nonhuman primates with a prolonged history of cocaine self-administration, and suggest that white matter deficits may contribute to behavioral, motivational, and cognitive impairments observed in cocaine abusers.
Cocaine Administration and Its Abstinence Conditions Modulate Neuroglia
TLDR
The presented results strongly suggest that cocaine abstinence evokes significant changes in gene expression associated with the proper functioning of glial cells, suggesting their significant involvement in adaptive changes in the brain associated with cocaine exposure.
Activin A is increased in the nucleus accumbens following a cocaine binge
TLDR
It is suggested that increased secretion of activin A, particularly from microglia, in the NAc represents a novel potential target for the treatment of cocaine relapse.
Cocaine-mediated downregulation of microglial miR-124 expression involves promoter DNA methylation
TLDR
It is demonstrated that cocaine exposure increased DNA methylation of miR-124 promoter resulting into its downregulation, which, in turn, led to microglial activation, implicate that epigenetic modulation of mi R-124 could be considered as a potential therapeutic approach to ameliorate microglia activation and, possibly, the development of cocaine addiction.
The impact of cocaine on adult hippocampal neurogenesis: Potential neurobiological mechanisms and contributions to maladaptive cognition in cocaine addiction disorder.
Cocaine-mediated activation of microglia and microglial MeCP2 and BDNF production
Sleep Disturbance Alters Cocaine-Induced Locomotor Activity: Involvement of Striatal Neuroimmune and Dopamine Signaling
TLDR
It is hypothesized that sleep fragmentation was capable of blunting cocaine-induced psychoactive effects through modulating neuroimmune and dopamine signaling in the brain reward circuitry, which might mediate the linkage between sleep disorders and drug addiction.
Structural plasticity in mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons produced by drugs of abuse: critical role of BDNF and dopamine
TLDR
Encouraging neuroimaging data in humans indirectly support the preclinical evidence of hypotrophic and hypertrophic effects, suggesting a possible differential engagement of dopamine neurons in parallel and partially converging circuits controlling motivation, stress, and emotions.
Region-Specific Reductions in Morphometric Properties and Synaptic Colocalization of Astrocytes Following Cocaine Self-Administration and Extinction
TLDR
An assessment of the effects of cocaine self-administration on morphometric properties and synaptic colocalization of astrocyte peripheral processes in the prelimbic region of the medial prefrontal cortex and basolateral nucleus of the amygdala, both known to also contribute significantly to motivated behaviors are extended.
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References

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Cocaine Uptake Is Decreased in the Brain of Detoxified Cocaine Abusers
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