Addiction is a brain disorder in the sense that reward mechanisms and decision-making are impaired.
As a first step to obtain information on differentially expressed genes in the PFC of cocaine abusers, we examined the relative levels of 1152 genes present on a focused cDNA microarray designed to probe brain-relevant genes. Distinct differences in gene expression were present between the cocaine and control pools and also between the matched individuals. Downregulated genes were associated with vesicular transport and presynaptic function. This indicates that cocaine in the PFC may induce a state characterized by axonal plasticity and remodeling, and diminished presynaptic signaling. Neuroscience Events Conferences Produced and updated by the National Institute of Mental Health.