The Role of Interleukin-1 Beta in Methamphetamine Mediated Increases in Dopamine Release within the Mesolimbic Pathway

Authors

Anneke Klomp, Brigham Young University
Ben Lee, Brigham Young University
Dr. Scott Steffensen, Brigham Young University

Keywords

interleukin-1 beta, methamphetames, dopamine release, mesolimbic pathway

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Neuroscience

Abstract

In this study we wanted to determine the effect that Interleukin-1 Beta (IL-1𝛃) would have in changing the effects that methamphetamines have on dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens (reward center of the brain). It has been well established previously that methamphetamines increases dopamine levels in the nucleus accumbens. Given that IL-1𝛃 increases inflammation in the brain which has been seen to be involved in dopamine release and that IL-1𝛃 is able to act on other parts of the brain, we suspected that by inhibiting IL-1𝛃 we would see a decrease in dopamine response to methamphetamines. If the IL-1𝛃 blocker, Kineret, were able to inhibit the meth-induced dopamine spike, it would be a potential candidate as a drug that could reverse addiction pharmacologically.

Recommended Citation

Klomp, Anneke; Lee, Ben; and Steffensen, Dr. Scott (2018) "The Role of Interleukin-1 Beta in Methamphetamine Mediated Increases in Dopamine Release within the Mesolimbic Pathway," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2018: Iss. 1, Article 65.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2018/iss1/65