LED lights were implanted into the rat body to answer why drugs were ineffective in addictive depression

[China's LED Internet news] the latest research can explain why drugs for treatment of addiction and depression are not effective for some patients.

This phenomenon is related to the brain reward and disgust response area. When researchers at the University of Washington School of medicine studied the reaction of mice, they found that the brain reward and disgust response blocks were very similar and could be unwittingly touched at the same time.

Image source: Bruchas Laboratory

The study found that drug therapy for the treatment of addiction and depression can simultaneously drive rewards and disgust responses that appear to be medications ineffective. The study was published in the Neuron Journal on 2 September.

In the experiment, the LED lights implanted in rats can drive neurons that are rewarded or disgust.

Image source: Bruchas Laboratory

Dr. Michael R. Bruchasl, the leading researcher in the Department of Anesthesiology and basic neurobiology, said: "we study neurons of the K type opioid receptor protein (KOR) that causes this reaction, which is associated with all addiction, including alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, heroin, and methamphet (methamphet). Amine). We borrow neurons that drive rewards and disgust these two reaction blocks, causing opposite behavior. This phenomenon may explain why drugs sometimes fail - the drug may drive the two regions at the same time, so it also offset the effect. "

When the drug is temporarily rewarded, it forms an addiction, but when the effect is lost, it will drive the disgust reaction, and the brain produces the desire for the drug. The researchers looked at genetically engineered mice to let the light drive cell activity. The mini LED lamp is implanted into the neuron to stimulate the nucleus accumbens area and drive the reward response. This type of cells is full of K type opioid receptor protein (KOR) associated with addiction and depression.

When the researchers drove the brain cells to produce a reward response, the rodents would continue to return to the same block in the labyrinth. But when the cells drive a few centimeters away, the mice are far away from the area.

Dr. Ream Al-Hasani, the first author of the anesthesiology and the first author of the paper, said: "we are surprised to find that stimulation is in the same area of the brain and the same cell can cause different reactions. By understanding the way of this substance, we may be able to make more accurate drugs, treatment and problems related to the brain area. For example, addiction and depression. " (translation / China LED network Emmachang)

For more information on LED, click on the Chinese LED network or pay attention to the WeChat public account (cnledw2013).