This document summarizes recent studies that have identified two potential ways to target drug addiction: 1) Reducing specific microRNAs in mice which reduced urges for cocaine, and 2) Stimulating hippocampal nerve cells to prevent addiction before it starts. A separate study found that increasing neurogenesis in the hippocampus through stimulation may combat drug addiction and relapse by making cocaine less rewarding in rats. The student believes these findings should be tested in humans to help develop new treatment approaches for drug addiction beyond just cocaine.

1. DRUG ADDICTION:RNA AND CELL CYCLE, TWO POINT TO ATTACK IT Ana MariaRinconGonzalez Medicine student 3rd semester

2. FOLDING

3. FOLDING

4. INTRODUCCION Many ways have been described to attack the drug addiction trouble, but recent studies have shown specifically that intervening into gene expression and cell cycle On one hand reducing a set of microRNAs - may reduces the urge for a cocaine fix in mice. Another point suggest the stimulation of hipocampal nervous cells, to prevent addiction before it starts.

5. TUNING COCAINE ADDICTION ScienceDaily (Feb. 27, 2010)

6. Tuning Cocaine Addiction ScienceDaily (July 20, 2010) MicroRNAs influence gene expression whose are implicated in disorders such as drug addiction.

7. Tuning Cocaine Addiction ScienceDaily (July 20, 2010) Ago2, a neuronal protein essential for the production and function of certain microRNAs

8. Tuning Cocaine Addiction ScienceDaily (July 20, 2010) Ago2-deficient (neurons lack Ago2) shows a regulation of the expression of genes known to be involved in drug addictionand lead patient into a less drug taking

9. This find give very good information as for the addiction trouble, it lets to go into the topic. I think it would be interesting if it was determinated which of these micro RNAs controlcocaine addiction and how could the science to intervene in to the treatment of these patients. STUDENT OPINION

10. Increasing Neurogenesis Might Prevent Drug Addiction and Relapse ScienceDaily(Feb. 27, 2010)

11. Increasing Neurogenesis Might Prevent Drug Addiction and Relapse ScienceDaily(Feb. 27, 2010) If the neurogenesis in the hippocampus is stimulated positively might be a potential way to combat drug addiction and relapse.

12. Increasing Neurogenesis Might Prevent Drug Addiction and Relapse ScienceDaily (Feb. 27, 2010) Only with recent technological advances have scientists been able to test their theories in animals by manipulating the birth of new nerve cells in the hippocampus of the adult brain.

13. Increasing Neurogenesis Might Prevent Drug Addiction and Relapse ScienceDaily (Feb. 27, 2010) The made experiment used advanced radiation delivery techniques to prevent hippocampalneurogenesis, rats were allowed to self-administer cocaine by pressing a lever. Rats with radiated brains took more cocaine and seemed to find it more rewarding than rats that did not receive radiation.

14. STUDENT OPINION I think these kind of investigations shouldcontinue up to being proved in human beings, ,similar and especifics findings woluld help in the visión of a diferent treatment in patiences with any type of drup addiction, not just cocaine.

15. MEDICAL UTILITY

16. Drug addiction is a clear problem nowadays and implícate in the medical area not just the diagnosis but also de treatment. MEDICAL UTILITY

17. MEDICAL UTILITY The science using tools that analyze the aspects of the bases of life such as the molecular biology, gives results that can be used in the improvement of worth health troubles.

18. MEDICAL UTILITY To know the bases of the life helps to understand the complexity that there re-joins the human being and all that of the way or himself that manages to affect it

19. BIBLIOGRAFIA Rockefeller University Press (2010, July 20). Tuning cocaine addiction. ScienceDaily. Retrieved July 25, 2010, from http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2010/07/100719124400.htm UT Southwestern Medical Center (2010, February 27). Increasing neurogenesis might prevent drug addiction and relapse. ScienceDaily. Retrieved July 26, 2010, from http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2010/02/100226121317.htm

20. THANKYOU