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Dopamine D1 receptor protein is elevated in nucleus accumbens of human, chronic methamphetamine users

Molecular Psychiatry volume 5, pages 664–672 (2000)Cite this article

Abstract

Animal data have long suggested that an adaptive upregulation of nucleus accumbens dopamine D1 receptor function might underlie part of the dependency on drugs of abuse. We measured by quantitative immunoblotting protein levels of dopamine D1 and, for comparison, D2 receptors in brain of chronic users of methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin. As compared with the controls, brain dopamine D1 receptor concentrations were selectively increased (by 44%) in the nucleus accumbens of the methamphetamine users, whereas a trend was observed in this brain area for reduced protein levels of the dopamine D2 receptor in all three drug groups (−25 to −37%; P < 0.05 for heroin group only). Our data support the hypothesis that aspects of the drug-dependent state in human methamphetamine users might be related to increased dopamine D1 receptor function in limbic brain.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by US NIH NIDA No. DA 07182 to SJK.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Human Neurochemical Pathology Laboratory, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, M5T 1R8, Ontario, Canada

    J N Worsley, A Moszczynska, M Guttman, Y Furukawa & S J Kish

  2. Neuroscience Unit, Centre de Recherche du CHUQ, Laval University, G1V 4G2, PQ, Canada

    P Falardeau

  3. Division of Forensic Toxicology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Washington, 20306, DC, USA

    K S Kalasinsky

  4. Office of the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner, San Jose, 95128–4702, CA, USA

    G Schmunk

  5. Department of Pathology (Neuropathology), Sunnybrook Hospital, Toronto, M4N 3M5, Ontario, Canada

    L Ang

  6. Office of the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner, Tampa, 33602, FL, USA

    V Adams

  7. Northern California Forensic Pathology, Sacramento, 95825, CA, USA

    G Reiber & R A Anthony

  8. Clark County Medical Examiner Office, Vancouver, 98660, WA, USA

    D Wickham

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  1. J N Worsley
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Correspondence to S J Kish.

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Worsley, J., Moszczynska, A., Falardeau, P. et al. Dopamine D1 receptor protein is elevated in nucleus accumbens of human, chronic methamphetamine users. Mol Psychiatry 5, 664–672 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.mp.4000760

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.mp.4000760

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