Do AMPA/kainate antagonists possess potential in the treatment of addiction? Evidence from animal behavioural studies

Substance addiction is a complex mental disorder with significant unmet treatment needs, especially in terms of effective medications. Craving in addiction is closely linked to the interaction between dopamine and glutamate in the brain's reward pathway. Therefore, drugs targeting glutamatergic signaling may have potential for treatment. This review examines the potential of AMPA/kainate glutamatergic receptor antagonists in reducing addictive-like behaviours in experimental rodents. To this end, the text summarizes the behavioural results of preclinical studies on stimulant substances (cocaine, amphetamine, methamphetamine, MDMA), nicotine, opioids (morphine and heroin), and alcohol. These experiments employ various protocols and routes of administration, using different strains of mice and rats. The main behavioural methods used in the research include behavioural sensitization protocols, drug-induced locomotor activity assessments, conditioned behaviours, and operant self-administration models. The reviewed literature demonstrates the benefit of AMPA/kainate antagonists, mainly in the most studied cocaine dependence, and particularly in attenuating cocaine-seeking behaviour via microinjection into the nucleus accumbens core. Regarding other addictive substances, despite some conflicting results, there is a substantial body of literature showing promising outcomes following systemic or intracerebral administration of AMPA/kainate antagonists. The main issue is the variability of the research protocols used across laboratories, including differences in animal species, strains, sex and environmental conditions. Moreover, each addictive substance exhibits distinct mechanisms of action and addiction development, rendering the pursuit of a universal drug for addiction treatment unrealistic. Nevertheless, AMPA/kainate antagonists seem to have potential as a supportive treatment in addiction to cocaine as well as other substances.