A recent study led by researchers at the University of California, Irvine, has found that a compound in rosemary extract could help reduce cocaine addiction.
The research, published in the journal Neuron, highlights the potential of this compound, called carnosic acid, to lower cocaine use by influencing the brain’s reward system.
This discovery could lead to new treatments for addiction, particularly for substances like cocaine, where effective therapies are currently lacking.
The study focused on a specific area of the brain known as the globus pallidus externus (GPe). This region acts as a gatekeeper, controlling how our brain reacts to cocaine.
Within the GPe, certain neurons, known as parvalbumin-positive neurons, play a crucial role in managing the brain’s response to cocaine.
These neurons affect the release of dopamine, a molecule that creates feelings of pleasure, and are key to how we experience the rewarding effects of drugs.
The researchers conducted experiments on mice and found that after exposure to cocaine, the parvalbumin-positive neurons in the GPe became more active.
This increased activity led to a decrease in specific proteins that normally help keep these neurons in check. This imbalance makes the brain more sensitive to cocaine’s effects.
Here’s where carnosic acid comes into play. The researchers discovered that this compound, which is found in rosemary extract, can bind to the affected channels in the neurons, helping to reduce the brain’s response to cocaine.
This suggests that carnosic acid could be used to lower the risk of addiction by moderating the brain’s reward system in a targeted way.
According to Kevin Beier, the study’s lead author and an associate professor of physiology and biophysics at UC Irvine, this research provides a deeper understanding of how the brain increases vulnerability to addiction. It also opens up new possibilities for developing treatments to prevent or reduce cocaine addiction.
One of the exciting aspects of this discovery is the potential for using globus pallidus cell activity as a biomarker to predict who might be more vulnerable to addiction. If this method proves effective, it could help identify individuals at higher risk and offer them treatments like carnosic acid to reduce their response to cocaine.
The next steps for the research team include evaluating the safety of carnosic acid, determining the best dosage, and exploring its effectiveness in reducing cravings for other drugs. They are also interested in developing more potent and targeted versions of this compound to enhance its therapeutic potential.
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