A team of researchers from the University of California, Irvine has discovered that an antioxidant found in rosemary extract can reduce the intake of cocaine by moderating the brain’s reward response, presenting a potential new therapeutic target for treating addiction. The study, published in the journal Neuron, focused on the globus pallidus externus region of the brain, which regulates how individuals react to cocaine. The researchers found that parvalbumin-positive neurons within the GPe play a critical role in controlling the response to cocaine by altering the activity of neurons that release dopamine, the pleasure molecule.
Lead author Kevin Beier, an associate professor of physiology and biophysics at UC Irvine, highlighted the lack of effective therapeutics for psychostimulant dependence, including cocaine and opioids. By studying how GPe cells control response to cocaine, the researchers aim to deepen understanding of the brain mechanisms that increase vulnerability to substance use disorder-related outcomes and develop new interventions to address addiction. The findings in mice showed that exposure to cocaine led to increased excitability in GPe parvalbumin-positive cells, which in turn caused a reduction in the expression of proteins that usually help regulate GPe cell activity. Carnosic acid, an extract of rosemary, was found to selectively bind to the affected channels, offering a potential avenue to reduce response to the drug in a targeted manner.
The researchers aim to further investigate the negative side effects of carnosic acid, determine the optimal dosage and timing, and explore its efficacy in reducing the craving for other drugs. They also plan to develop more potent and targeted variants of the antioxidant. The involvement of scientists from the University of West Virginia and the University of Colorado in the study highlights collaboration among different institutions in advancing addiction research. The study was supported by grants from various organizations, including the National Institutes of Health, One Mind, the Alzheimer’s Association, and the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation.
The discovery of the potential of carnosic acid to reduce cocaine intake by modulating brain reward response opens up new possibilities for addiction treatment. By targeting specific neurons in the GPe region, researchers could potentially predict individuals’ vulnerability to developing a substance use disorder and use this information as a biomarker to identify high-risk individuals. This personalized approach could lead to more effective interventions for addiction treatment and prevention. Further research is needed to explore the broader implications of this finding and to develop more refined strategies for targeting addiction pathways in the brain.
The study’s focus on understanding the basic mechanisms of addiction and identifying new therapeutic targets underscores the importance of ongoing research in this field. By shedding light on how the brain responds to drugs like cocaine and opioids, researchers hope to develop more effective treatments that can help individuals overcome addiction and reduce the burden of substance use disorders on public health. The collaboration between different institutions and the support from various funding sources highlight the significance of a multidisciplinary approach to addressing complex challenges like addiction. By combining expertise from different fields, researchers can make significant strides in developing innovative and targeted interventions for addiction treatment.
