LED lamp implanted in mice to answer the question of why drugs are ineffective for addiction depression

New research may explain why treatment for addiction and depression is ineffective for some patients, LED.

This phenomenon is related to brain reward and aversive reaction area. Researchers at the University of Washington School of Medicine found that the brain's reward and aversive response blocks were very similar, and they could inadvertently touch at the same time.

Source: Bruchas Laboratory

The study found that drug treatment for addiction and depression can drive both reward and aversive responses, which in turn appear to be ineffective. The study was published in the Neuron journal in September 2.

In the experiment, the LED lamp implanted in mice can drive reward or aversive neurons.

Source: Bruchas Laboratory

Leading researchers, anesthesia and basic neurobiology department associate professor Dr. Michael R. Bruchasl said: "our study on K opioid receptor protein caused by this reaction (KOR) neurons, neurons and all about this addiction, including alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine (methamphetamine). We are driven by reward and dislike of these two reaction blocks are very similar to neurons, triggering the opposite behavior. This phenomenon may explain why the drugs sometimes fail - the drug may also drive the two regions, and thus offset the effect. "

When the drug temporarily causes a reward response, it becomes addictive, but when the effect disappears, it drives the aversive reaction, which in turn results in the brain's desire for drugs. The researchers observed genetically engineered mice that allow light to drive cell activity. The miniature LED lamp is implanted into the neuron to stimulate the brain's nucleus accumbens (nucleus accumbens) region, which drives the reward response. This type of cell is full of K opioid receptor proteins (KOR) associated with addiction and depression.

When the researchers drive brain cells, making the reward response when mice repeatedly come back to the same block in the maze. But when driving a few centimeters away, the mouse would be far away from the area.

Anesthesiology lecturer, Ream first author Dr. Al-Hasani said: "we are very surprised to find stimulation in the brain the same block, the same cells will lead to different reactions, by understanding the subject matter of the mode of operation, we may be an antidote against the disease more accurately, treatment associated with the brain cells to regional issues, such as addiction and depression. "(Chinese LED net Emmachang)

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