Serotonergic neurotransmission is terminated by reuptake of extracellular serotonin (5-HT) by the high-affinity serotonin transporter (SERT). Selective 5-HT reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as fluoxetine or escitalopram inhibit SERT and are currently the principal treatment for depression and anxiety disorders. In addition, SERT is a major molecular target for psychostimulants such as cocaine a...

The meso-cortico-limbic system, via dopamine release, encodes the rewarding and reinforcing properties of natural rewards. It is also activated in response to abused substances and is believed to support drug-related behaviors. Dysfunctions of this system lead to several psychiatric conditions including feeding disorders and drug addiction. These disorders are also largely influenced by environ...

OBJECTIVE To determine the pattern of drugs of abuse in urine and blood samples processed at referral laboratory in Pakistan so that information on the type of drugs used can be identified and used for ready reference for future strategy. STUDY DESIGN Observational study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY Clinical Laboratory of The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from July 2006 to March 20...

Repeated periods of maternal separation in the early life of rats decreased dopamine transporter expression and significantly increased dopamine responses to stress, and behavioral responses to either stress or cocaine. As adults, maternal separation animals showed increased sensitivity to the effects of cocaine on locomotor activity and greater sensitivity to stress-induced sensitization to th...

Drug abuse peaks during adolescence, and exposure to drugs during adolescence predicts drug abuse in adulthood. Nevertheless, adolescence is not widely studied in animal models of drug intake. Moreover, few studies have investigated sex differences in drug-reinforced behavior during adolescence. We studied age-and sex-differences in acquisition and maintenance of amphetamine self-administration...

Levels of cocaine and other psychoactive substances in atmospheric particulate matter (PM) were determined in urban environments representing distinct social behaviours with regard to drug abuse: night-life, university and residential areas. Three cities (with population>1 million and <0.3 million inhabitants) were selected. Mean daily levels of drugs in PM were 11-336 pg/m3 for cocaine, 23-34 ...