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Published on: January 29, 2017
Galanin and addiction.
1Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, 34 Park Street, 3rd Floor Research, New Haven, CT 06508, USA. marina.picciotto@Yale.edu
Experientia Supplementum (2012)
|February 9, 2011
Summary
Galanin, a neuropeptide, reduces the rewarding effects of opiates and withdrawal symptoms. Genetic variations in galanin may influence susceptibility to opiate addiction, suggesting galanin receptors as potential therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Addiction Research
Background:
- Neuropeptides regulating feeding behavior can influence neural circuits involved in drug abuse.
- The mesolimbic dopamine system and stress pathways are implicated in both food intake and drug reward/withdrawal.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of galanin in modulating opiate reinforcement and withdrawal.
- To explore the potential of galanin receptors as therapeutic targets for addiction.
Main Methods:
- Administration of galanin agonists and assessment of opiate reward (conditioned place preference) and withdrawal signs.
- Analysis of opiate reward and withdrawal in galanin knockout mice.
- Electrophysiological studies on dopamine release and noradrenergic neuron firing rates.
Main Results:
- Galanin agonists decreased opiate reward and withdrawal symptoms.
- Galanin knockout mice exhibited increased opiate reward and withdrawal.
- Galanin reduced activity-evoked dopamine release and noradrenergic neuron firing.
Conclusions:
- Galanin acts to decrease, rather than potentiate, opiate reward and withdrawal.
- Genetic variations in galanin signaling may be linked to opiate abuse susceptibility.
- Galanin receptors represent promising targets for novel addiction treatments.
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