Developing Drugs to End Cocaine Addiction

Published September 7, 2012

Developing Drugs to End Cocaine Addiction – Emory’s David Weinshenker, PhD, describes research into drugs that can be used to assist in ending cocaine addiction, in particular preventing relapses. Background Disulfiram has been used as a means to fight alcohol addiction; after taking the drug, people who drink had a bad reaction, worse than any hangover, and thus develop an aversion to alcohol. Scientists are now working on a similar drug for the treatment of cocaine addiction. Originally tests were done using disulfiram but now research is moving towards drugs like nepicastat that target only dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH). Discussing this research is David Weinshenker, PhD, a Associate Professor of Human Genetics at the Emory University School of Medicine. Related Links Experimental Treatments for Cocaine Addiction May Prevent Relapse shared.web.emory.edu Profile: David Weinshenker genetics.emory.edu Emory Department of Human Genetics genetics.emory.edu