GABA(B) receptor agonists for the treatment of drug addiction: a review of recent findings.

Abstract

A growing preclinical and clinical literature suggests that GABA(B) receptor agonists promote abstinence and reduce the use of cocaine, heroin, alcohol and nicotine. The purpose of this paper is to critically review these data. GABA(B) receptor agonists, such as baclofen, appear to reduce the reinforcing effects of abused drugs in animal models under multiple experimental procedures. This occurs at doses that have little effect on responding for other positive reinforcers such as food or water. We review evidence that these potential therapeutic effects may be mediated by modulation of mesolimbic dopamine neurons. This review also examines the preliminary clinical data from studies of the efficacy of baclofen for treatment of cocaine, alcohol, and nicotine dependence. We suggest that these preliminary data provide a rationale for conducting more systematic studies of the effects of GABA(B) receptor agonists as treatment for drug abuse. This line of research may also improve our understanding of the neurochemical mechanisms underlying the drug dependence process.

• Authors: Michael S Cousins, David C S Roberts, Harriet de Wit
• Journal: Drug and alcohol dependence (Drug Alcohol Depend) Vol. 65 Issue 3 Pg. 209-20 (Feb 01 2002) ISSN: 0376-8716 [Print] Ireland
• PMID: 11841892 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S., Review)

Chemical References

• GABA Agonists
• GABA-B Receptor Agonists
• gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
• Baclofen
• Dopamine

Topics

• Animals
• Baclofen (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Brain (metabolism)
• Dopamine (metabolism)
• GABA Agonists (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• GABA-B Receptor Agonists
• Humans
• Reinforcement, Psychology
• Substance-Related Disorders (drug therapy, metabolism, psychology)
• gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (metabolism)