ROLE OF TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR NPAS4 IN DRUG DEPENDENCE

有人提出，活动依赖性突触可塑性和中脑边缘多巴胺能系统的重塑在药物依赖性的发展中起着至关重要的作用。我们之前报道过，Npas4 mRNA 水平降低可能会导致社会孤立或限制压力引起的记忆和情绪行为受损。在本研究中，我们研究了 NPAS4 在药物依赖中的病理生理作用。我们的结果表明 Npas4 在神经元的结构和功能可塑性中发挥着重要作用。此外，我们假设重复施用甲基苯丙胺会增加海马中 Npas4 的表达水平。

It has been proposed that activity-dependent synaptic plasticity and remodeling of the mesolimbic dopaminergic system play a crucial role in the development of drug dependence. We previously reported that reduced Npas4 mRNA levels might contribute to impairments in memory and emotional behaviors induced by social isolation or restriction stress. In this study,we investigated pathophysiological role of NPAS4 in the drug dependence. Our results suggest that Npas4 plays an important role in the structural and functional plasticity of neurons. In addition, we assume that repeated administration of methamphetamine increases the expression levels of Npas4 in the hippocampus.