Cocaine Use Disorder: Neuropathology and Exploratory Treatments

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Pharmacology
• Immunology

Background:

• Cocaine use disorder (CUD) involves compulsive drug-seeking behavior and neurobiological dysfunction.
• It stems from neurotransmitter imbalances and neuroinflammatory processes.
• Understanding CUD's immunopathological effects necessitates exploring its mechanisms and therapeutic targets.

Purpose of the Study:

• Review psychopharmacological mechanisms in CUD.
• Investigate neuroinflammatory features of CUD.
• Analyze cocaine hydrochloride's impact on neurotransmitters, particularly monoamines.

Main Methods:

• Reviewed preclinical studies on novel therapeutic agents for CUD.
• Analyzed literature on CUD pathophysiology, neuroinflammation, and treatment.
• Sourced studies from PubMed, NCBI, AccessMedicine, and Clinical Key databases.

Main Results:

• Preclinical studies suggest L-DOPA, M. pruriens, monoamine precursors, TA-CD (cocaine vaccine), and immunotherapy as potential CUD treatments.
• These modalities have shown success in targeting neuroinflammation.
• Investigated treatments impact neurotransmitter systems involved in CUD.

Conclusions:

• Targeting neuroinflammation offers a promising therapeutic avenue for CUD.
• No FDA-approved treatments for CUD are currently available, necessitating further research.
• Novel therapeutic approaches require further investigation to reduce CUD incidence.