Increased cocaine and amphetamine-regulated transcript cord blood levels in the newborns exposed to crack cocaine in utero

Background Cocaine and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) is an endogenous antioxidant present since the embryonic period. CART is activated by high levels of dopamine and might be of interested in understanding the changes in the REDOX system associated with crack/cocaine intake. The goal of this study was to determine whether exposure to crack in utero is associated with increased CART levels.