Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Murine Drinking Models in the Development of Pharmacotherapies for Alcoholism: Drinking in the Dark and Two-bottle Choice
07:31

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Published on: January 7, 2019

The N-type calcium channel is a novel target for treating alcohol use disorders

Philip M Newton1, Robert O Messing

  • 1Ernest Gallo Clinic and Research Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, Emeryville, CA 94608 , USA.

Channels (Austin, Tex.)
|April 18, 2009
PubMed

Insights

N-type calcium channels are a promising target for treating alcoholism and anxiety. Blocking these channels with NP078585 reduced alcohol

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pharmacology
  • Addiction Research

Background:

  • N-type calcium channels are crucial neuronal presynaptic ion channels regulating neurotransmitter release.
  • These channels play a significant role in brain functions relevant to addiction and anxiety disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To validate the N-type calcium channel as a therapeutic target for alcoholism and anxiety.
  • To investigate the effects of a novel N- and T-type calcium channel blocker, NP078585, on ethanol's effects.
  • To assess the potential for NP078585 to be addictive.

Main Methods:

  • Studied mice genetically modified to lack N-type calcium channels.
  • Administered the novel calcium channel blocker NP078585 to wild-type rodents.
  • Assessed ethanol consumption, intoxicating effects, and stress-induced alcohol seeking.
  • Conducted conditioned place preference tests to evaluate NP078585's rewarding properties.

Main Results:

  • Mice lacking N-type calcium channels showed reduced ethanol consumption and resistance to intoxication.
  • NP078585 significantly reduced the intoxicating and reinforcing effects of ethanol in rodents.
  • NP078585 abolished stress-induced reinstatement of alcohol seeking.
  • NP078585 did not produce a conditioned place preference, indicating it is not rewarding.

Conclusions:

  • The N-type calcium channel is a viable therapeutic target for alcoholism and anxiety.
  • NP078585 demonstrates potential as a non-addictive medication for treating alcohol use disorders.
  • Further drug development targeting N-type calcium channels is warranted.

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