Chemistry Project Abstract
EFFECT OF NICOTINE AND METHAMPHETAMINE ON DOPAMINE LEVELS IN GLIAL BRAIN TISSUE CULTURE AND THEIR POTENTIAL ROLE IN PARKINSON DISEASE
Presenter:
Aretha Chakraborti, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 West Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL, 60506; diva18@imsa.edu
Advisor:
Dr. Donald Dosch, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 West Sullivan Road, Biology, Aurora, IL, 60506; 630-907-5943; ddosch@imsa.edu
Abstract:
The neurotransmitter dopamine helps control motor skills and is the substance lacking in those suffering from Parkinson disease. This lack of dopamine is caused by the degeneration of brain tissue located in the substantia nigra of the midbrain. Though techniques have been researched to reverse this tissue degeneration, more commonly prescribed remedies for Parkinson symptoms come in drug form. This experiment looked specifically into the stimulation of dopamine in glial brain tissue by nicotine and methamphetamine. Nicotine was administered to the cell culture in concentrations of 10-9% - 10-4% and cell growth was observed over time. Initial trials showed that cells exposed to the highest concentrations of nicotine had severely slowed growth in comparison to control cells. Cells exposed to lower concentrations of nicotine were most like control cells in growth and confluency. Once optimum nicotine concentration is determined, ELISA assay will be performed to quantify dopamine production. It is possible that methamphetamine and nicotine can be used for relief of ailments caused by the disease because they both stimulate the production of dopamine.