Sigma-1 receptor 'could hold key to substance addiction'

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by Change | 13 Feb 2009

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Further research into the relationship between a plant compound and a receptor in the brain could lead to changes in rehab clinic treatments, a study suggests.

The effects of a plant compound on a protein found throughout the body could have implications for addiction clinics, new research shows.

A study published in journal Science claims hallucinogenic agent dimethyltryptamine (DMT) triggers activity in the sigma-1 receptor, which the team behind the report suggests could play a role in drug dependency.

Senior author Arnold Ruoho, chair of pharmacology at the UW-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, asserts that the existing evidence is non-conclusive but could be an area worth studying further.

He states: "We believe that the National Institute on drug abuse (NIDA) may be interested in biological mechanisms underlying psychoactive and addictive drug action."

The report links the sigma-1 receptor to hyperactivity in animals and Mr Ruoho claims this behaviour has also been connected to an increased risk of taking part in substance abuse.

It claims this find may impact on the treatment of drug addiction, which could affect the courses on offer at rehab clinics.

A recent study published in the Journal of Neuroscience could allow treatment centres to better understand the mechanisms behind drug relapse.

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