| First Author | Zhou Y | Year | 1999 |
| Journal | Neuroendocrinology | Volume | 70 |
| Issue | 3 | Pages | 196-9 |
| PubMed ID | 10516482 | Mgi Jnum | J:58003 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:1346290 | Doi | 10.1159/000054476 |
| Citation | Zhou Y, et al. (1999) Effects of chronic 'Binge' cocaine administration on plasma ACTH and corticosterone levels in mice deficient in DARPP-32. Neuroendocrinology 70(3):196-9 |
| abstractText | The product of the DARPP-32 gene mediates intracellular signals initiated by the binding of dopamine to its receptors. Cocaine administration leads to increased activation of dopamine receptors, and causes activation of the stress-responsive hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. We determined the effects of chronic 'binge' pattern cocaine on HPA activity in mice containing a targeted disruption of the DARPP-32 gene. Mice received three daily injections of cocaine (15 mg/kg/injection) for 14 days, and were sacrificed 30 min after the last injection. We measured the levels of plasma adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and corticosterone which reflect HPA activity. In wild-type controls, 'binge' cocaine administration significantly increased plasma ACTH and corticosterone levels. In contrast, DARPP-32-deficient mice failed to show a significant elevation of either plasma ACTH or corticosterone levels following 'binge' cocaine. The results indicate that DARPP-32 plays a role in mediating the stimulatory effects of cocaine on the HPA axis. |
