Tetrodotoxin reduces cue-induced drug craving and anxiety in abstinent heroin addicts.
Pharmacol Biochem Behav
; 92(4): 603-7, 2009 Jun.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-19268686
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a neurotoxin found in puffer fish and other marine animals. New clinical studies suggest that low-dose TTX can safely relieve severe, treatment-resistant cancer pain. The therapeutic potential of TTX in addiction is supported by studies in laboratory animals. The purpose of this double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to assess the effect of a single intramuscular dose of TTX on cue-induced craving and anxiety in abstinent heroin addicts.METHODS:
Forty-five abstinent heroin addicts were randomly assigned to three treatment groups placebo, 5 microg TTX, or 10 microg TTX. Participants were exposed to a neutral video or a heroin-related video. Craving, anxiety, blood pressure, and heart rate were measured pre- and post-exposure.RESULTS:
Heroin-related cues increased both craving and anxiety and had no effect on blood pressure and heart rate. A single dose of TTX dose-dependently attenuated the increases in craving and anxiety while having no effect on blood pressure or heart rate.CONCLUSION:
The results suggest that low-dose TTX is acutely effective in reducing cue-induced increases in heroin craving and associated anxiety.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Ansiedade
/
Tetrodotoxina
/
Dependência de Heroína
Tipo de estudo:
Clinical_trials
Limite:
Adolescent
/
Adult
/
Animals
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Pharmacol Biochem Behav
Ano de publicação:
2009
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
China