NCJ Number
164362
Journal
American Journal on Addictions Volume: 6 Issue: 1 Dated: (Winter 1997) Pages: 65-73
Date Published
1997
Length
9 pages
Annotation
Because few studies have examined the role of serontonin (5- HT) in modulating the craving for cocaine in cocaine-addicted persons, the authors evaluated whether the acute increase in serotonergic neurotransmission after the administration of a challenging dose of the 5-HT partial agonist meta- chlorophenylpiperazine (m-CPP) had an effect on spontaneous cocaine craving.
Abstract
Thirty-one male patients who met study criteria for cocaine dependence completed 2 days of testing, separated by 48 hours, that involved the oral administration of m-CPP (0.5 mg/kg of body weight) or placebo in random order and under double-blind conditions. Patient craving for cocaine decreased significantly after the administration of m-CPP, providing evidence for a modulation of cocaine craving by 5-HT systems. The small decline in craving observed during placebo test days was attributed to either a placebo effect or to circadian variations in craving. On the other hand, cocaine craving decreased markedly after m-CPP administration and remained significantly lower until the end of the test session 3.5 hours later. This craving decrease could not be attributed to the presence of side effects or to psychological changes induced by m-CPP because there was no significant statistical association between the intensity of side effects or psychological changes and the maximum craving decline value. 26 references and 2 figures