Effects of Naltrexone on Nicotine Reinforcement

Summary

Despite preclinical evidence supporting the role of the endogenous opioid system in the reinforcing effects of nicotine, the efficacy of the opioid antagonist naltrexone (NTX) as a tobacco dependence treatment remains unresolved. Research is needed to identify those smokers for whom NTX will have the strongest beneficial effects on smoking behavior. The research bridges existing knowledge of genetic, pharmacologic, and behavioral responses to nicotine, and translates this knowledge to treatment for tobacco dependence. The immediate goal was to test whether genetic variation in the mu-opioid receptor gene predicts the effects of naltrexone (NTX) on nicotine reinforcement.

Timeline

Start

2004-03

Primary completion

2005-10

Completion

2005-10

Publications

• Background Ray R, Jepson C, Wileyto P, Patterson F, Strasser AA, Rukstalis M, Perkins K, Blendy J, Lerman C. CREB1 haplotypes and the relative reinforcing value of nicotine. Mol Psychiatry. 2007 Jul;12(7):615-7. doi: 10.1038/sj.mp.4002002. No abstract available.
• Results Ray R, Jepson C, Patterson F, Strasser A, Rukstalis M, Perkins K, Lynch KG, O'Malley S, Berrettini WH, Lerman C. Association of OPRM1 A118G variant with the relative reinforcing value of nicotine. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2006 Oct;188(3):355-63. doi: 10.1007/s00213-006-0504-2. Epub 2006 Sep 8.

Drugs

Indications