The Effects of Trilostane and DHEAS on Dopamine Release in the Nucleus Accumbens

Authors

Tyler Okelberry, Brigham Young University
Dr. Scott Steffensen, Brigham Young University

Keywords

trilostane, DHEAS, dopamine release, nucleus accumbens

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Psychology

Abstract

Alcohol dependency is a serious, widespread problem in the United States. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reported that “In 2009, the number of persons aged 12 or older needing treatment for an alcohol use problem was 19.3 million (7.7 percent of the population aged 12 or older).” ¹ The following study contributed to a growing body of research about alcohol addiction and the brain. The study focused on a part of the brain called the nucleus accumbens. The release of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the nucleus accumbens has been implicated in the mental processes of reward and motivation.² Therefore, this study aimed to explore the regulation of the release of dopamine from neuron terminals in the nucleus accumbens in order to better understand the biological basis of addiction. In order to explore the mechanisms by which dopamine release is regulated, this study recorded the effects of two chemical compounds: dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and trilostane. DHEAS is a neurosteroid that binds to and modifies the subtype-A γ-aminobutyric acid receptors (GABA_AR_s) on neurons.³ Trilostane is an inhibitor of an endogenous enzyme that metabolizes neurosteroids.⁴ Therefore, addition of Trilostane to the nucleus accumbens should increase the concentrations of endogenous neurosteroids including DHEAS.

Recommended Citation

Okelberry, Tyler and Steffensen, Dr. Scott (2015) "The Effects of Trilostane and DHEAS on Dopamine Release in the Nucleus Accumbens," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2015: Iss. 1, Article 48.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2015/iss1/48