A protein that is naturally present in the brain reduces laboratory animals’ attraction to environments in which they have experienced cocaine’s effects. The recent finding could point the way to new treatments to help people overcome addiction to cocaine and perhaps to other drugs.
Dr. Collin Kreple, Dr. John Wemmie, and colleagues at the University of Iowa and U.S. previously showed that the protein, called acid-sensing ion channel supports some types of learning and memory.
In a new NIDA-supported study, they found, to their surprise, that ASIC1A exerts an opposite, inhibiting effect on cocaine-related learning and memory. These contrasting effects suggest that medications that increase ASIC1A might block the formation of powerful drug-context associations that promote cocaine use and relapse, while leaving intact—or even improving—other kinds of memory.
Dr. Collin Kreple, Dr. John Wemmie, and colleagues at the University of Iowa and U.S. previously showed that the protein, called acid-sensing ion channel supports some types of learning and memory.In a new NIDA-supported study, they found, to their surprise, that ASIC1A exerts an opposite, inhibiting effect on cocaine-related learning and memory. These contrasting effects suggest that medications that increase ASIC1A might block the formation of powerful drug-context associations that promote cocaine use and relapse, while leaving intact—or even improving—other kinds of memory.
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