Novel Methodologies: Proteomic Approaches in Substance Abuse Research

Abstract

The advent of proteomics technologies provides a unique opportunity to discover and explore biochemical substrates and consequences associated with abused substances. Results from rodent, non-human primate, and human postmortem studies indicate significant impairments in neuronal function and plasticity in several brain regions. To date the majority of studies have utilized rodents to model human cocaine intake; however, growing evidence indicates the need to refine rodent and non-human primate models to better recapitulate human drug intake and associated neuropathologies. As in other psychiatric and neurological illnesses, researchers should identify the molecular pathologies associated with cocaine addiction in humans and attempt to recapitulate such biological alterations in animal models. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved)