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Updated: Jul 15, 2026
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A Protocol for Measuring Cue Reactivity in a Rat Model of Cocaine Use Disorder
Published on: June 18, 2018
Treatment outcome predictors for cocaine dependence
James Poling1, Thomas R Kosten, Mehmet Sofuoglu
1Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, VA Connecticut Healthcare System. West Haven, CT 06516, USA. james.poling@yale.edu
The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse
|May 15, 2007
Summary
Despite numerous clinical trials, effective pharmacotherapies for cocaine dependence remain elusive. However, cocaine use patterns, withdrawal severity, and comorbid conditions like depression predict treatment success.
Area of Science:
- Addiction Medicine
- Clinical Psychology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Cocaine dependence is a significant public health issue with limited effective pharmacological treatments.
- Numerous medications have been investigated in clinical trials over the last decade without success.
- Understanding predictors of treatment response is crucial for managing cocaine dependence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review variables that significantly predict treatment response in individuals with cocaine dependence.
- To identify factors that may serve as targets for future therapeutic interventions.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of clinical trials and studies investigating pharmacotherapies for cocaine dependence.
- Analysis of identified variables associated with treatment response, including clinical, demographic, and biological factors.
Main Results:
- No pharmacotherapies have proven effective to date.
- Predictive variables for cocaine treatment response include cocaine use frequency, baseline urine cocaine levels, and withdrawal symptom severity.
- Comorbid depression, alcohol use, and personality traits like impulsivity are associated with relapse risk.
- Preliminary research suggests genetic polymorphisms, brain activation patterns, and stress responses may also be predictive.
Conclusions:
- Effective pharmacotherapies for cocaine dependence are still needed.
- Identifying and understanding predictive variables is essential for improving treatment outcomes.
- Further research is required to validate promising biological and psychological markers for treatment response.
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