Title |
Neurotransplantation of stem cells genetically modified to express human dopamine transporter reduces alcohol consumption
|
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Published in |
Stem Cell Research & Therapy, December 2010
|
DOI | 10.1186/scrt36 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Tom N Grammatopoulos, Susan M Jones, Masami Yoshimura, Brian R Hoover, Mita Das, Evan Y Snyder, Gaynor A Larson, Nancy R Zahniser, Boris Tabakoff, WMichael Zawada |
Abstract |
Regulated neurotransmitter actions in the mammalian central nervous system determine brain function and control peripheral organs and behavior. Although drug-seeking behaviors, including alcohol consumption, depend on central neurotransmission, modification of neurotransmitter actions in specific brain nuclei remains challenging. Herein, we report a novel approach for neurotransmission modification in vivo by transplantation of stem cells engineered to take up the neurotransmitter dopamine (DA) efficiently through the action of the human dopamine transporter (hDAT). As a functional test in mice, we used voluntary alcohol consumption, which is known to release DA in nucleus accumbens (NAC), an event hypothesized to help maintain drug-seeking behavior. We reasoned that reducing extracellular DA levels, by engrafting into NAC DA-sequestering stem cells expressing hDAT, would alter alcohol intake. |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
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Unknown | 21 | 100% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Student > Ph. D. Student | 5 | 24% |
Researcher | 5 | 24% |
Student > Doctoral Student | 3 | 14% |
Student > Bachelor | 2 | 10% |
Student > Master | 2 | 10% |
Other | 2 | 10% |
Unknown | 2 | 10% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Agricultural and Biological Sciences | 5 | 24% |
Neuroscience | 4 | 19% |
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology | 3 | 14% |
Medicine and Dentistry | 2 | 10% |
Nursing and Health Professions | 1 | 5% |
Other | 4 | 19% |
Unknown | 2 | 10% |