摘要：据悉，研究人员的一个新发现将为研发首个可卡因成瘾药物治疗方法提供可能性。
根据Wisconsin-Milwaukee大学（UWM）心理学助理教授、共同作者Devin Mueller，一种常见的β受体阻滞剂——目前用于治疗高血压和焦虑的患者的普萘洛尔，已被证明在成瘾动物模型中可有效地预防大脑恢复与可卡因使用有关的记忆。
Mueller说，这是首次证明一种治疗方法可阻止与药物成瘾相关的记忆的恢复，这是很多成瘾者复发的一个主要原因。
“现在，还没有经过批准的已知可成功地治疗可卡因滥用的药物，”Mueller说，“只有那些用于治疗可卡因戒断症状的药物，而这些药物对防止复发无效。”
他说，普萘洛尔的作用是长期的，并可能是永久性的，即使没有后续剂量和存在已知可诱导复发的刺激因素。
这项研究发表于《NeuropsychoPHarmacology》杂志上。
可卡因
生物探索推荐英文论文摘要：
Neuropsychopharmacology 36, 1912-1920 (August 2011)
Doi:10.1038/npp.2011.77
Inhibition of β-Adrenergic Receptors Induces a Persistent Deficit in Retrieval of a Cocaine-Associated Memory Providing Protection against Reinstatement
Drug-seeking behavior is maintained by encounters with drug-associated cues. Preventing retrieval of drug-associated memories that these cues provoke would therefore limit relapse susceptibility; however, little is known regarding the mechanisms of retrieval. Here, we show that β-adrenergic receptor activation is necessary for the retrieval of a cocaine-associated memory. Using a conditioned place preference (CPP) procedure, rats were conditioned to associate one chamber, but not another, with cocaine. When administered before a CPP trial, propranolol, but not saline, prevented retrieval of a cocaine-associated CPP. In subsequent drug-free trials, rats previously treated with propranolol continued to show a retrieval deficit, as no CPP was evident. This retrieval deficit was long lasting and robust, as the CPP did not re-emerge during a test for spontaneous recovery 14 days later or reinstate following a priming injection of cocaine. Moreover, the peripheral β-adrenergic receptor antagonist sotalol did not affect retrieval. Thus, retrieval of cocaine-associated memories is mediated by norepinephrine acting at central β-adrenergic receptors. Our findings support the use of propranolol, a commonly prescribed β-blocker, as an adjunct to exposure therapy for the treatment of addiction by preventing retrieval of drug-associated memories during and long after treatment, and by providing protection against relapse.
