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KMID : 0608520090150030053
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Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
2009 Volume.15 No. 3 p.53 ~ p.61
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A Potential Role of Oxytocin and Acupuncture in Drug Addiction
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Yang Chae-Ha
Choi Seong-Hun
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Abstract
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Oxytocin(OT). classically known to stimulate labour and milk ejection, contributes to play an important role in a wide range of behavioral effects including drug addiction. An increasing body of evidence suggests that OT ameliorates acute and long-term effects of commonly used drugs by means of interacting with the mesolimbic dopamine system. Mesolimbic dopamine system is thought to play a major role in the reinforcing properties of drug abuse. Oxytocin receptors in the nucleus accumbens(NAc) and ventral tegmental area(VTA) have been implicated in the regulation of reinforcing effects in abused drugs. In the same way acupuncture may attenuate the reinforcing effects of abused drugs in the NAc and VTA. We have an interest in similar liaison between the substrates of acupuncture and drug addiction that may involve OT. Here, we described the possibility that acupuncture modulates the reinforcing and sensitizing properties of abused drugs in the dopaminergic system via the regulation of activities in the oxytocinergic system, The elements in this paper are summarized as follows: neuroanatomical studies of oxytocinergic innervation and distribution of oxytocin receptors: experiments related to the methamphetamine cocaine, morphine and ethanol; experiments related to the oxytocin and acupuncture.
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KEYWORD
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Oxytocin, Acupuncture, Addiction, Mesolimbic dopamine system
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