title: Role of NG2 expressing cells in addiction: a new approach for an old problem.
abstract: Neuron-glial antigen 2 (NG2) is a proteoglycan expressed predominantly in oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs). NG2-expressing OPCs (NG2-OPCs) are self-renewing cells that are widely distributed in the gray and white matter areas of the central nervous system. NG2-OPCs can mature into premyelinating oligodendrocytes and myelinating oligodendroglia which serve as the primary source of myelin in the brain. This review characterizes NG2-OPCs in brain structure and function, conceptualizes the role of NG2-OPCs in brain regions associated with negative reinforcement and relapse to drug seeking and discusses how NG2-OPCs are regulated by neuromodulators linked to motivational withdrawal. We hope to provide the readers with an overview of the role of NG2-OPCs in brain structure and function in the context of negative affect state in substance abuse disorders and to integrate our current understanding of the physiological significance of the NG2-OPCs in the adult brain.
authors.affiliation: Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, The Scripps Research Institute La Jolla, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Sucharita S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Somkuwar
authors.affiliation: Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, The Scripps Research Institute La Jolla, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Miranda C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Staples
authors.affiliation: Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, The Scripps Research Institute La Jolla, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Melissa H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Galinato
authors.affiliation: Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, The Scripps Research Institute La Jolla, CA, USA.
authors.forename: McKenzie J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Fannon
authors.affiliation: Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, The Scripps Research Institute La Jolla, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Chitra D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Mandyam
keywords: BrdU; NG2; amygdala; hippocampus; prefrontal cortex; progenitors