Ibogaine pretreatment dramatically enhances the dynorphin response to cocaine

M E Alburges1, G R Hanson

  • 1Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, 30 So. 2000 E. Room 201, Salt Lake City, UT, USA. m.e.albruges@m.cc.utah.edu

Brain Research
|November 24, 1999
PubMed

Ibogaine (Endabuse) is a psychoactive indole alkaloid found in the shrub, Tabernanthe iboga, which has been used to treat stimulant addiction. Because ibogaine influences the activity of neurotensin systems, a dopamine-linked neuropeptide, the present study investigated if ibogaine also influences dynorphin (DYN) pathways. Unlike neurotensin responses, ibogaine alone did not alter DYN levels in the striatum, substantia nigra or nucleus accumbens. Interestingly, ibogaine pretreatment dramatically enhanced cocaine-induced increases in DYN content in these structures.

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