Inherited Resistance to Cocaine

Male rat pups of cocaine using fathers are less likely to become addicted to cocaine and find the drug less rewarding, according to new research. This is due to inherited, epigenetic changes induced by the cocaine use.

“The findings, published today (16 December) in Nature Neuroscience, “were the exact opposite of what we expected,” said U Penn’s Chris Pierce, who led the study. His team showed that cocaine use leads to epigenetic changes in a rat’s brain that boost the levels of a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). These same changes are seen in the sperm of drug-taking rodent parents, and can be passed on to their male pups.”

As one researcher said, this is fascinating but scary. You can affect the way your children’s brain works through your own behavior.

“The results are sobering, pun sort of intended,” said Pierce. “The rats in our study were given access to cocaine for only 2 months, but this level of exposure was sufficient to significantly change the physiology and behavior of their male offspring.”

via Inherited Resistance to Cocaine | The Scientist Magazine®.

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