Research Focus:
Dr. Booze's research focuses on the mechanisms by which the central nervous system adapts to injury and disease. In one set of studies, we are investigating the neurobiology of drug abuse. The molecular mechanisms which underlie chronic drug abuse are being studied with respect to the dopaminergic receptor systems in the brain. We have recently found that cocaine regulates a novel form of the dopamine receptor system, the D3 receptor, and may provide key evidence for how cocaine and other stimulants act in the brain. Of particular concern in these studies is the use of drugs, such a cocaine, by pregnant women and determining the long-term consequences for the offspring of these mothers. Research progress along these lines of investigation may identify the neurobiological basis for drug abuse and help develop new treatments for drug addicts. Additionally, intravenous drug use is a risk factor for HIV infection and we are studying the interactions between the HIV virus and cocaine in the brain.
Recent publications:
- Aksenov MY, Hasselrot U, Wu G, Nath A, Anderson C, Mactutus CF, Booze RM. Temporal relationships between HIV-1 Tat-induced neuronal degeneration, OX-42 immunoreactivity, reactive astrocytosis, and protein oxidation in the rat striatum. Brain Res. 2003 Oct 10;987(1):1-9.
- Nath A, Hauser KF, Wojna V, Booze RM, Maragos W, Prendergast M, Cass W, Turchan JT. Molecular basis for interactions of HIV and drugs of abuse. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2002 Oct 1;31 Suppl 2:S62-9.
- Bansal AK, Mactutus CF, Nath A, Anderson C, Booze RM. Intravenous cocaine abuse: a rodent model for potential interactions with HIV proteins. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2001;493:241-5.
- Aksenov MY, Hasselrot U, Bansal AK, Wu G, Nath A, Anderson C, Mactutus CF, Booze Oxidative damage induced by the injection of HIV-1 Tat protein in the rat striatum. Neurosci Lett. 2001 Jun 1;305(1):5-8.
- Turchan J, Anderson C, Hauser KF, Sun Q, Zhang J, Liu Y, Wise PM, Kruman I, Maragos W, Mattson MP, Booze R, Nath A.
Estrogen protects against the synergistic toxicity by HIV proteins,
methamphetamine and cocaine.BMC Neurosci. 2001;2(1):3. Epub 2001 Mar 02.
- Nath A, Anderson C, Jones M, Maragos W, Booze R, Mactutus C, Bell J, Hauser KF, Mattson M. Neurotoxicity and dysfunction of dopaminergic systems associated with AIDS dementia. J Psychopharmacol. 2000;14(3):222-7. Review.
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