Cocaine is a widely abused illicit substance and has been gaining global popularity in recent years. It is understood that cocaine alters the normal functioning of the brain’s dopaminergic system to increase the amount of dopamine (DA) available to bind to receptors, subsequently potentiating DA’s euphoric effects. Knowledge regarding cocaine’s long-term addictive qualities is limited. Findings presented in this review demonstrate that DA D1 receptors (D1R) modulate the activity of the transcription factor ∆FosB, a marker of synaptic plasticity.

Affecting over 35 million people a year, the number of infected individuals continues to grow because there is currently no cure to eliminate HIV. Two scientists at Temple Health have manipulated mouse genomes to display human immunity and the effect of two different treatments on the mice after HIV is injected into the rodents. They have found promising results in ridding the mouse cells of any traces of inducible HIV DNA, are looking to further their research in hopes of soon using human subjects.