title: GDNF--a potential target to treat addiction.
abstract: The glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is a secreted protein, best known for its role in the development of the central and peripheral nervous systems and the survival of adult dopaminergic neurons. More recently, accumulating evidence suggests that GDNF plays a unique role in negatively regulating the actions of drugs of abuse. In this article, we review these data and highlight the possibility that the GDNF pathway may be a promising target for the treatment of addiction.
authors.affiliation: The Ernest Gallo Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, Emeryville, CA 94608, USA.
authors.forename: Sebastien
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Carnicella
authors.forename: Dorit
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ron
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D051100:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D051100:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D004298:Dopamine