[Molecular neurobiological research in the fight against drug abuse]

Molecular biology has a strong impact on current research into drug and alcohol dependence. Spectacular recent results include the cloning of a cannabinoid receptor, nicotine receptors in the CNS and the targets of amphetamine and cocaine action, catecholamine transporters. Alcohol has been found to interact with the GABAA and NMDA (glutamate) receptors at concentrations reached with social alcohol use. The interactions of opiates and other drugs of abuse with the endogenous opioid peptides have been studied at several levels; it is a general finding that precursor gene transcription is suppressed. Although much less is known about the molecular consequences of chronic addictive drug usage, a functional deficit in opioid systems has been described. A general addiction mechanism may have similarities with memory storage mechanisms which are currently being studied with molecular probes.