Recent published research in the Journal of Clinical Investigationdemonstrates how changes in dopamine signaling and dopamine transporter function are linked to neurological and psychiatric diseases, including early-onset Parkinsonism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
“The present findings should provide a critical basis for further exploration of how dopamine dysfunction and altered dopamine transporter function contribute to brain disorders” said Michelle Sahai, a postdoctoral associate at the Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University, adding “it also contributes to research efforts developing new ways to help the millions of people suffering.”
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays an important role in our cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning. When activated from outside stimuli, nerve cells in the brain release dopamine, causing a chain reaction that releases even more of this chemical messenger.
To ensure that this doesn’t result in an infinite loop of dopamine production, a protein called the dopamine transporter reabsorbs the dopamine back into the cell to terminate the process. As dopamine binds to its transporter, it is returned to the nerve cells for future use.
However, cocaine and other drugs like amphetamine, completely hijack this well-balanced system.
Read the full, original article: Dopamine transporter: Stampede supercomputer used to study common link between addiction, neurological disease
