Figure 7.

Schematic representation of neurotoxic action of cocaine in PC12 cells. The treatment of PC 12 cells with cocaine can alter the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, reducing the Bcl2 levels, which could lead to activation of caspase 3 and the trigger of cell death process, seen after 24 hours of treatment. On the other hand, to protect the cell from cocaine-toxic effects activation of NF-κB occurs through D1 receptors. The activation of this transcription factor could lead to transcription of anti-apoptotic genes, such as BDNF that tries to mimitaze the process of cell death.