TY - JOUR
T1 - The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor partial agonist varenicline and the treatment of drug dependence: A review
AU - Crunelle, Cleo L.
AU - Miller, Michelle L.
AU - Booij, Jan
AU - van den Brink, Wim
PY - 2010
Y1 - 2010
N2 - Drug dependence is a chronic brain disease characterized by recurrent episodes of relapse, even when the person is motivated to quit. Relapse is a major problem and new pharmacotherapies are needed to prevent relapse episodes. The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) plays an important rote in nicotine dependence, alcohol consumption and cue-induced cocaine craving. Stimulation of the nAChR has been found to alter and modulate cell firing in brain areas important for the maintenance of drug dependence. Varenicline, an alpha 4 beta 2 nAChR partial agonist and an alpha 7 nAChR full agonist registered for the treatment of nicotine dependence, significantly reduces nicotine craving and prevents relapse. In addition, varenicline reduces alcohol consumption in rats. Based on a review of the available literature, we hypothesize a potential rote for varenicline in the prevention of relapse in patients recovering from drug dependence other than nicotine dependence. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. and ECNP. All rights reserved
AB - Drug dependence is a chronic brain disease characterized by recurrent episodes of relapse, even when the person is motivated to quit. Relapse is a major problem and new pharmacotherapies are needed to prevent relapse episodes. The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) plays an important rote in nicotine dependence, alcohol consumption and cue-induced cocaine craving. Stimulation of the nAChR has been found to alter and modulate cell firing in brain areas important for the maintenance of drug dependence. Varenicline, an alpha 4 beta 2 nAChR partial agonist and an alpha 7 nAChR full agonist registered for the treatment of nicotine dependence, significantly reduces nicotine craving and prevents relapse. In addition, varenicline reduces alcohol consumption in rats. Based on a review of the available literature, we hypothesize a potential rote for varenicline in the prevention of relapse in patients recovering from drug dependence other than nicotine dependence. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. and ECNP. All rights reserved
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroneuro.2009.11.001
DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroneuro.2009.11.001
M3 - Review article
C2 - 19959340
SN - 0924-977X
VL - 20
SP - 69
EP - 79
JO - European neuropsychopharmacology
JF - European neuropsychopharmacology
IS - 2
ER -