Abstract: Cocaine is one of the main addiction drugs in the world. Scientists are always trying to discover why the addiction happens and find the methods to cure the cocaine addiction. The classics mechanism is that the cocaine binds with the dopamine transporter (DAT), then the retake of dopamine was blocked, and this resulted in the sustained excitement of the dopaminergic neuron. Now, it is found that the cocaine influence some systems relate to the gene expression of the "reward" circuit. This influence finally leads to the change of neuron dendritic plastisity in that area. All the changes are sustaining and these may be the foundation of some behavior effects about the cocaine addiction. At present, the main therapy orientation is decrease the contact between the cocaine and the neuron by idiosyncratic antibody, vaccine or enzyme. Here, related mechanism and therapies were mainly reviewed.

Key words: cocaine, dopamine transporter (DAT), methylation