Dysregulation of RGS Proteins by Psychostimulants
Journal Title: Journal of Addiction & Prevention - Year 2014, Vol 2, Issue 1
Abstract
Regulator of G protein signaling (RGS) proteins are a class of proteins that negatively modulate GPCR-mediated G protein signaling. The distribution of subtypes of RGS proteins is brain region specific. Several subtypes of RGS proteins are present in the mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway and are subjected to modulation by psychostimulants. Acute or chronic exposure to psychostimulants induces changes in mRNA levels of RGS in a subtype-, brain region-, and time-dependent manner. The dynamic changes in the abundance of RGS proteins by psychostimulant treatment may be associated with dopamine receptor sensitization or desensitization, a potential mechanism underlying drug sensitization or tolerance. Small molecule RGS inhibitors are useful tools for studying in vivo function of RGS proteins and are potential therapeutics for the treatment of psychostimulant addiction.
Authors and Affiliations
Rong Chen
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP202550
- DOI 10.13188/2330-2178.1000011
- Views 144
- Downloads 0
Diagnostic Performance of the Rutgers Alcohol Problem Index (RAPI) in Detecting DSM-5 Alcohol Use Disorders among College Students
Background and objectives: The DSM-5 Alcohol Use Disorder criteria (AUD) have been modified to reflect a single diagnosis, which may alter how AUDs are detected within our screening measures. The Rutgers Alcohol Problem...
Children of Substance Abusing Parents: Child Behavior Data of Brazilian Service
Determining the relevant risk factors and protective factors as well as the correlation between them is an important tool for preventing substance abuse. A case-control study of addiction and its risk factors was perform...
Deaths of Celebrities and Substance Use: A Qualitative Investigation
Raising awareness of the dangers of drugs is one of the most effective means of preventing addiction. This qualitative study was conducted to provide approachable and truly illustrative examples of the depredations of su...
Smoking Habit among Youngsters
Smoking is injurious to health and cost of the cigarettes does not affect it very much. But according to some authors, as the rates of cigarettes increase, older smoker quits the smoking [1]. We agreed to the views regar...
The Role of Impulsivity, Anger, Verbal Ability, and Abstract Reasoning in Emerging Adults’ Treatment Outcomes
Motivational interviewing (MI), a brief, client-centered intervention, has shown promise in reducing problem drinking. However, many questions remain regarding how to improve effectiveness of this intervention. Based on...