Erasing Memories: Could New Discovery Help Prevent Relapse In Drug Addicts?

Researchers at the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute have made a discovery that might bring them closer to erasing memories in drug addicts, helping to prevent relapses.

"We now have a viable target and by blocking that target, we can disrupt, and potentially erase, drug memories, leaving other memories intact," Associate Professor Courtney Miller said in a statement. "The hope is that, when combined with traditional rehabilitation and abstinence therapies, we can reduce or eliminate relapse for meth users after a single treatment by taking away the power of an individual's triggers."

In the most recent study, researchers reported major advances via the discovery of a safe route to selectively target brain actin through nonmuscle myosin II (NMII), a molecular motor that supports memory formation. To accomplish this, the researchers used a compound called blebbistatin that acts on this protein.

"We're very excited about the potential of actually helping people," Miller added. "Right now we're applying for grants and speaking with potential investors in order to take blebbistatin and make it safe for use in people. We've got all of the expertise at Scripps to do that, we just need the funds."

Findings revealed that just one injection of blebbistatin disrupted long-term storage of drug-related memories. Furthermore, it blocked relapse for at least a month in animal models with methamphetamine addiction.

More information regarding the findings can be seen via the journal Molecular Psychiatry.

Related Articles

Blood Pressure And Addiction: New Medication May Help Drug Users Quit

For more great science stories and general news, please visit our sister site, Headlines and Global News (HNGN).