Scientists have proven that addiction to morphine and heroin can be prevented, while at the same time increasing pain relief in patients.
Doctors from the University of Adelaide and University of Colorado have discovered the key mechanism in the body's immune system, which amplifies addiction to the opioid drugs.
Their laboratory studies have shown that the drug (+)-naloxone (pronounced: PLUS nal-OX-own) will selectively block the immune-addiction response.
This new discovery could eventually lead to the development of new drugs that assist patients with severe pain, as well as helping heroin users to kick the habit by preventing their cravings.
"Our studies have shown conclusively that we can block addiction via the immune system of the brain, without targeting the brain's wiring," says the lead author of the study, Dr Mark Hutchinson, ARC Research Fellow in the University of Adelaide's School of Medical Sciences.
"Both the central nervous system and the immune system play important roles in creating addiction, but our studies have shown we only need to block the immune response in the brain to prevent cravings for opioid drugs."
The team has focused its research efforts on the immune receptor known as Toll-Like receptor 4 (TLR4)
"Opioid drugs such as morphine and heroin bind to TLR4 in a similar way to the normal immune response to bacteria. The problem is that TLR4 then acts as an amplifier for addiction," Dr Hutchinson said.
He explained that the drug (+)-naloxone automatically shuts down the addiction.
He said: "It shuts down the need to take opioids, it cuts out behaviours associated with addiction, and the neurochemistry in the brain changes - dopamine, which is the chemical important for providing that sense of 'reward' from the drug, is no longer produced."
Source: Gillian Tsoi, Irishheath.ie, 15/08/12
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