Abstract
ABSTRACTOBJECTIVEGlial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), being a protective of dopaminergic neurons, is reported to modulate addictive behaviours and have a role as a negative regulator for biochemical and behavioural adaptations to drug abuse. We aimed to reveal impulsivity and serum GDNF levels in patients with heroin addiction and investigate their relationships in order to contribute to the understanding of behavioural aspects and biological mechanisms in heroin addiction via this study.METHODSThis study was performed at the Department of Psychiatry of Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital, Turkey. We recruited 129 heroin-dependent patients and 90 age, sex, and smoking-matched healthy controls with no major psychopathology. Barratt Impulsivity Scale-11, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and sociodemographic data form were applied to all participants. Laboratory analysis for serum GDNF levels was performed for each participant’s blood sample.RESULTSTotal impulsivity scores...
Highlights
Neurotrophic factors have an important role in the growth and differentiation of neurons during development and have been implicated in many forms of plasticity within the adult central nervous system.The glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is one of the most potent neurotrophic factors influencing the dopaminergic system
We focused on GDNF because GDNF has so far more potent effects on the survival and protection of dopaminergic neurons compared to brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and other neurotrophins [3] and GDNF enhances the survival of midbrain dopamine neurons in vivo after being exposed to dopaminergic neurotoxins such as 6-hydroxydopamine in an obvious way [1]
We found that serum GDNF levels are significantly lower in heroin addicts compared to healthy controls and serum GDNF levels were inversely correlated with both daily dosage of used heroin and duration of addiction
Summary
Neurotrophic factors have an important role in the growth and differentiation of neurons during development and have been implicated in many forms of plasticity within the adult central nervous system.The glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is one of the most potent neurotrophic factors influencing the dopaminergic system. Neurotrophic factors have an important role in the growth and differentiation of neurons during development and have been implicated in many forms of plasticity within the adult central nervous system. It is reported that GDNF has distinct protective effects on the survival of midbrain dopaminergic neurons in both in vitro and in vivo studies [1,2,3,4]. Opiate withdrawal was shown to regulate the expression levels of several neurotrophic factors in specific regions of adult brain [8]. The rewarding effects and/or selfadministration of cocaine and ethanol were found to be associated with up-regulation of GDNF levels in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) or striatum [9,10]
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