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Determining the Importance of Changes in Dopamine when Modafinil is Used as a Treatment for Cocaine Dependence
Author(s) -
Brewer Alex Jawann,
De La Garza Richard
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.26.1_supplement.1040.10
Subject(s) - modafinil , dopamine transporter , placebo , psychology , cocaine dependence , dopamine , pharmacology , brain stimulation reward , medicine , psychiatry , addiction , nucleus accumbens , dopaminergic , neuroscience , alternative medicine , pathology
Cocaine (COC) dependence is a significant public health issue. Currently, there is no drug approved by the FDA to treat COC dependence; however, recent data indicates that modafinil (MOD) is effective in reducing the subjective and reinforcing effects produced by COC. How MOD produces these effects is unclear. Dopamine (DA) has been widely speculated to mediate the effects of MOD, and MOD was recently shown to bind and inhibit the DA transporter, which increases DA in brain. In addition, DA has long been implicated as critical to the rewarding and reinforcing effects produced by stimulants such as COC. Based on the preceding information, I hypothesize that MOD reduces the subjective and reinforcing effects produced by COC by increasing DA in the brains of COC‐abusing individuals. This hypothesis will be tested in my dissertation project by enrolling participants who are not currently seeking treatment into a phase I clinical trial. Participants will be administered MOD plus either lisdexamfetamine, which will increase brain DA, haloperidol, which will decrease brain DA, or placebo, then challenged with COC. Changes in DA concentration will be measured several ways, both directly and indirectly. Outcome variables will include the participants’ subjective responses, self‐administration outcomes, and measures of plasma prolactin and DA.