New Compound may Help Cocaine Addicts Kick the Habit

Researchers at the University at Buffalo have discovered a new compound that can help people fight cocaine addiction and relapse.

The new chemical, called RO5263397, targets the brain's reward center in animals and could open up a new avenue for fighting cocaine addiction. "This is the first systematic study to convincingly show that RO5263397 has the potential to treat cocaine addiction,” said senior author Dr Jun-Xu Li, a University at Buffalo assistant professor of pharmacology and toxicology.

Drug Abuse | Drug Addiction | Substance Abuse - Overview
The use of Drugs for reasons other than its prescribed recommendation, is known as Drug abuse or substance abuse. Drug abuse or substance abuse is initiated by various biological and social factors.

This new compound simulates the brain receptor TAAR 1, which is reportedly involved in the reward effect after cocaine consumption. The mice study also found that the compound was able to prevent the risk of relapse.

"RO5263397 reduced the animals’ motivation to get cocaine," Dr Li said. "This compound makes rats less willing to work for cocaine, which led to decreased cocaine use.”

The study details are published in Neuropsychopharmacology.

Impact of Drug Abuse on Health and Society
Drug abuse is a negative social trend that pushes youth to drug addiction in the pretext of getting psychological effects like excitation.

Source-Medindia

Drug Abuse in Pregnancy
Drug abuse during pregnancy has an adverse effect on the mother as well as the fetus. It is advisable to stop usage of illicit drugs well before pregnancy.