Failure of ritanserin to block cocaine cue reactivity in humans.
As part of a double-blind placebo-controlled study of the effects of ritanserin on cocaine use and craving, reactivity to cocaine-related events was assessed both before and during medication. Twenty-two patients receiving ritanserin and 23 receiving placebo were exposed to cocaine cues while continuous measures of heart rate, skin temperature, and skin resistance were taken. Self-reports of high, withdrawal, and craving were also collected. The cues produced significant physiological responding as well as significant increases in high and craving during both sessions. Ritanserin reduced cue-elicited decreases in skin temperature, but had no effect on heart rate and skin resistance or on cue-induced high and craving. The results demonstrate that cue reactivity is a robust phenomenon across two assessment sessions but fail to support the use of ritanserin as a means of reducing cue-elicited drug states.
Ehrman
R N
RN
Department of Psychiatry, Treatment Research Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19104-6178, USA.
Robbins
S J
SJ
Cornish
J W
JW
Childress
A R
AR
O'Brien
C P
CP
D001143:Arousal / Q000187:drug effects*; D003042:Cocaine; D003463:Cues; D005712:Galvanic Skin Response / Q000187:drug effects; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D009042:Motivation; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000187:drug effects; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016713:Ritanserin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D012881:Skin Temperature / Q000187:drug effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D016713:Ritanserin; D003042:Cocaine