Combating Drug Abuse by Targeting Toll-Like Receptor 4 (TLR4)
Abstract
This project is progressing excellently and remains on schedule across research sites as defined by the Statement of Work. From studies completed to date, our major findings are that (a) morphine-induced increases in extracellular dopamine in the Nucleus Accumbens (NAc) shell is suppressed by microinjection of the toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) antagonist LPS-RS into either the NAc or the ventral tegmental area (VTA). Intriguingly, suppression of NAc dopamine in response to cocaine is also observed by NAc or VTA LPS-RS. This is exciting as it challenges the broadly held view that the major effect of cocaine is on dopamine transporters in the VTA. Given this intriguing result, a control study was undertaken to ensure specificity of the results obtained. Specificity was observed since LPS-RS had no effect on dopamine released in response to intra-VTA neurotensin. Multiple additional Aims and SubAims have begun and significant progress anticipated in the coming project period.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA593126
Entities
People
- Betty Diamond
- Jonathan Katz
- Linda R. Watkins
- Ryan Bachtell
- Steven Maier
Organizations
- University of Colorado Boulder