We will miss him greatly. Our loss is Emory's gain. In recent studies with rodents, Dr. Kuhar and his colleagues have demonstrated that the novel chemical compounds that he now plans to test at Yerkes occupy the receptors on the dopamine transporter that cocaine molecules normally use. By preventing cocaine from occupying these receptors, the novel chemical agents prevent cocaine from impeding the dopamine transporter. In a Yerkes laboratory, which will be equipped in part by the Georgia Research Alliance, Dr. Kuhar and his research colleague Dr. Pastor Couceyro also plan to search for genes that are switched on or off by cocaine.
Recent research indicates a withdrawal syndrome does characterize cocaine.
Dr. Kuhar and his colleagues will study these processes in rhesus monkeys because as primates, their biology and behavior are very similar to humans. All Rights Reserved.