Developing Drugs to End Cocaine Addiction



Emory's David Weinshenker, PhD, describes research into drugs that can be used to assist in ending cocaine addiction, in particular preventing relapses.

Background

Disulfiram has been used as a means to fight alcohol addiction; after taking the drug, people who drink had a bad reaction, worse than any hangover, and thus develop an aversion to alcohol. Scientists are now working on a similar drug for the treatment of cocaine addiction. Originally tests were done using disulfiram but now research is moving towards drugs like nepicastat that target only dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH). Discussing this research is David Weinshenker, PhD, a Associate Professor of Human Genetics at the Emory University School of Medicine.

Related Links

Experimental Treatments for Cocaine Addiction May Prevent Relapse
http://shared.web.emory.edu/whsc/news/releases/2010/08/experimental-treatments-for-cocaine-addiction-may-prevent-relapse.html

Profile: David Weinshenker
http://genetics.emory.edu/faculty/faculty.php?facultyid=150

Emory Department of Human Genetics
http://genetics.emory.edu

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