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Modeling And Mapping Addiction In The Zebrafish, Danio Rerio, Bradley Serpa
Modeling And Mapping Addiction In The Zebrafish, Danio Rerio, Bradley Serpa
Master of Science in Integrative Biology Theses
Driven by the communication of dopamine, the vertebrate reward system has been evolutionarily conserved to maintain survival and optimize fitness. The neural circuits governing this system integrate sensory stimuli to produce appropriate, self-preserving responses that underlie experience-based learning. In the most primitive vertebrates, dopamine release in neuronal circuits drives homeostatic behaviors, such as seeking nutrients, finding a mate, or avoiding danger. From agnathans to mammals, dopaminergic synthesis and signaling genes and molecules, along with neuronal pathways and reward system-based behaviors, remain highly conserved. Dopamine signaling proteins include two classes of metabotropic G-Protein Receptor Coupled Dopamine Receptors, D1-like (DRD1) and D2-like …
The Combined Neuropharmacology And Toxicology Of Major 'Bath Salts' Constituents Mdpv, Mephedrone, And Methylone, Serena Allen
The Combined Neuropharmacology And Toxicology Of Major 'Bath Salts' Constituents Mdpv, Mephedrone, And Methylone, Serena Allen
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The synthetic cathinones, 3,4- methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), 4-methylmethcathinone (mephedrone), and 3,4- methylenedioxymethcathinone (methylone), gained worldwide notoriety as the psychoactive components of ‘bath salts;’ a marketing term used to circumvent federal drug laws and permit their legal sale. Previous studies have shown that these drugs share pharmacological characteristics with cocaine and the amphetamines, however, descriptions of their neurotoxic properties are limited. Moreover, while forensic analysis has revealed that the most frequently abused bath salts ‘brands’ contain binary and ternary mixtures of MDPV, mephedrone, and methylone, the majority of preclinical research has focused on explicating the individual effects of these drugs. Therefore, the …