Natural Molecule Could Contribute to Addiction

Scientists often wonder why some people can recreationally use cocaine, while others easily develop an addiction to the substance. According to a recent Science Daily release, a particular genetic material could play a key role in determining an individual’s vulnerability to cocaine addiction.

Animal studies conducted by scientists at The Scripps Research Institute suggest this finding could offer a new direction for the development of therapies to treat addiction. The molecule, microRNA-212 was shown to control the amount of cocaine animals consumed when it was increased in the brains of test animals.

Paul Kenny, an associate professor in Department of Molecular Therapeutics at Scripps Florida and team leader in this research, noted that this finding could point to why one person may be vulnerable to the effects of cocaine, while another is not.

In this research, the Scripps team found that specific microRNA is shown to have significant control over the individual’s response to the drug. When this molecule is increased in the brain, is provides protection against addictive behavior. A reduction in the same molecule raises the individual’s vulnerability.

A small non-protein coding RNA, microRNA-212 is able to regulate the expression levels of hundreds – potentially thousands – of genes. As a result, this molecule is considered to be a master regulator of gene expression. It is also considered to potentially play a role in complex psychiatric disorders.

The findings of this study suggest that those with a serious addiction problem could possibly have damaged supplies of microRNA-212. It is also possible that this molecule does not function properly.
What the new findings suggest, Kenny said, is that individuals with serious addiction problems may have damaged supplies of this particular non-coding RNA, or the microRNA may not function properly. The development of a molecule that mimics or stimulates the production of microRNA-212 could offer treatment potential.