Two Genes May Fuel Cocaine Addiction

Two related genes that help control signaling between brain cells may play an important role in cocaine addiction, says a study in the Aug. 5 issue of Neuron. In research with mice, scientists found that deleting either of the two genes in the "Homer" family caused symptoms similar to those of cocaine withdrawal. The finding provides a new research target for trying to understand how both a genetic susceptibility to addiction and environmental factors cause addiction. The study found the Homer1 and Homer2 genes appear to be specific for cocaine. When the researchers tested the effects of caffeine and heroin on mice that lacked the Homer genes, the rodents' behavioral responses weren't the same as they were with cocaine.