Cells Talking Smack How drugs of abuse disrupt
Cells Talking Smack: How drugs of abuse disrupt cellular communication From Research to Rehab: A Town Hall Meeting on Substance Use and Young People Dr. Tricia Hardt Smith hardtta@vcu. edu Copyright © Dr. Tricia Smith 2016
What we know about Drugs & Addiction… ? ? ? ? © Tricia H. Smith Ph. D.
But first, let’s take a closer look… ? © Tricia H. Smith Ph. D.
Extracellular signal molecules: hormones, neurotransmitter, DRUGS! Cells TALK! © Tricia H. Smith Ph. D.
Receptors Adapt! Leads to drug tolerance! Can lead to drug dependence! Figure by T Hardt Smith. Introduction to Neuroendocrinology © Cambridge Press © Tricia H. Smith Ph. D.
Control Repeated Administration Q: What happens when we take away the drug? A: WITHDRAWAL Zastrow et. al. (1996) The Journal of Biological Chemistry © Tricia H. Smith Ph. D.
Drugs cause real, measurable changes at the cellular level! • Every time we take a drug, any drug, we change how our cells behave! • We can’t ‘get it out of our system!’ • Addiction is not something cells can ‘snap out of’! • It’s no longer about the high or the consequences! • During addiction & withdrawal we need medical help! © Tricia H. Smith Ph. D.
Receptors can Recover! The Journal of Neuroscience, 21(23): 9414 -9418. 200126 © Tricia H. Smith Ph. D.
Questions?
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