Motivational Effects of Methylphenidate are Associated with GABRA2 Variants Conferring Addiction Risk.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Variations in the GABRA2 gene, encoding α2 subunits of GABAA receptors, have been associated with risk for addiction to several drugs, but the mechanisms by which variations in non-coding regions of GABRA2 increase risk for addictions are not understood. Mice with deletion of GABRA2 show deficits in the ability of psychostimulants to facilitate responding for conditioned reinforcers, offering a potential explanation.

Methods

We report human and mouse studies investigating a potential endophenotype underlying this association. Healthy human volunteers carrying either cocaine-addiction "risk" or "protective" GABRA2 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) were tested for their subjective responses to methylphenidate, and methylphenidate's ability to facilitate conditio

SUBMITTER: Duka T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4649050 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature