Washington: A new research has revealed that a protein which was previously connected to autism and is vital for brain mechanism, has a crucial part to play in drug addiction.
The Cowan lab team that was led by Laura Smith, PhD, stated that some of the brain changes help us to learn and remember, whereas, some changes are harmful, such as those that occur in individuals struggling with drug abuse.
They further added that FMRP allows individuals to memorize things but it also controls how the brain responds to cocaine and ends up strengthening drug behaviors.
By enhanced study of FMRP's role in the process they might be able to suggest effective therapeutic options to prevent or reverse these changes.
The paper was published in the issue of the neuroscience journal Neuron.
