D-cycloserine and cocaine cue reactivity: preliminary findings.
BACKGROUND
D-cycloserine (DCS), a partial glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor agonist, enhances extinction of conditioned fear responding in rodents and facilitates exposure-based learning in humans with anxiety disorders.


OBJECTIVE
This preliminary study investigates DCS pretreatment on response to cocaine cues in cocaine-dependent subjects.


METHODS
Ten cocaine-dependent subjects were randomly assigned to receive either 50 mg DCS or matching placebo two hours before each of two 1-hour cocaine cue exposure sessions one day apart. HR and craving ratings were obtained before and during cue exposure sessions.


RESULTS
There was a trend towards increased craving to cocaine cues in cocaine-dependent individuals after administration of DCS.


CONCLUSIONS
The administration of DCS prior to cue exposure sessions may facilitate response activation.


CONCLUSIONS
While facilitation of extinction-based learning by DCS may have therapeutic potential for cocaine dependence, this drug may exhibit a different profile in cocaine-dependent individuals as compared to those with anxiety disorders.
Price
Kimber L
KL
Medical University of South Carolina, Department of Psychiatry, Clinical Neuroscience Division, 67 President Street, Charleston, SC 29425, USA. pricekl@musc.edu
McRae-Clark
Aimee L
AL
Saladin
Michael E
ME
Maria
Megan M Moran-Santa
MM
DeSantis
Stacia M
SM
Back
Sudie E
SE
Brady
Kathleen T
KT
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003042:Cocaine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003463:Cues; D003523:Cycloserine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005108:Extinction, Psychological / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000819:agonists*
D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D003523:Cycloserine; D003042:Cocaine