Similarly, the researchers showed that the drug’s damaging impacts on DNA can be passed on through sperm, hampering the foetus’ brain development. Intriguingly, the effects were far more common in the sons of male cocaine users than their daughters, or than any child of a female cocaine user. Cocaine is a powerfully addictive stimulant drug made from the leaves of the coca plant, native to South America.
Although healthcare providers can use it for valid medical purposes, such as local anesthesia for some surgeries, cocaine is an illegal drug. As a street drug, cocaine looks like a fine, white, crystal powder. Street dealers often mix it with things like cornstarch, talcum powder, or flour to increase profits. They may also mix it with other drugs such as the stimulant amphetamine.
The ‘mailonline’ reports that while scientists are still trying to determine the timeline, this research builds on previous studies that show cocaine has a lingering effect on DNA, which can last for years after use. 16 male rats were allowed to self-administer cocaine daily through drinking water for 60 days. Another 16 drank saline solution.
They then mated with females, who had not taken drugs. Paternal cocaine-taking had no effect on the litter size, sex ratio, or growth development. However, out of the 46 total litters, the male babies, which had been exposed to cocaine experienced significant issues with memory formation.
Taking a closer look, they saw the expression of genes which are important for memory formation had been altered. Male rats, whose fathers took cocaine, had far lower levels of D-serine, a molecule essential for memory.
Once the researchers replenished the levels of D-serine in the sons’ hippocampus, they saw improved learning in these animals. Senior author, Dr. R. Christopher Pierce, a professor of Neuroscience at the University of Pennsylvania, worked with a team to test the theory on mice
