Cannabinoid CB1 receptors control conditioned drug seeking.
Recent developments have implicated cannabinoid CB1 receptors as a novel target for a new class of therapeutic agents used to treat drug addiction. CB1 receptors are expressed in the motivational circuitry of the brain and modulate drug seeking. Blockade of the CB1 receptor is particularly effective in reducing cue-induced reinstatement of drug seeking, an animal analogue of cue-induced relapse in human addicts. These relapse-preventing properties are observed with different classes of abused drug (i.e. psychostimulants, opiates, nicotine and alcohol). In addition, recent evidence indicates a more general role of CB1 receptors in reward-related memories, which is consistent with the proposed role of endocannabinoids in memory-related plasticity. Relapse-preventing actions and inhibitory effects on weight gain were confirmed recently in clinical trials with the CB1 antagonist rimonabant. Collectively, these clinical and preclinical studies suggest that antagonists of CB1 receptors offer a novel approach in the treatment of addictive behaviours.
Research Institute Neurosciences Vrije Universiteit, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Department of Medical Pharmacology, VU medical center, Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands. tj.devries@vumc.nl
Taco J
TJ
De Vries
Anton N M
AN
Schoffelmeer
D000818:Animals; D003213:Conditioning, Psychological / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D010880:Piperidines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011720:Pyrazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000502:physiology; D000077285:Rimonabant; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology
D010880:Piperidines; D011720:Pyrazoles; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1; D000077285:Rimonabant