A group of researchers has uncovered that an antioxidant present in rosemary extract can lessen voluntary cocaine use by moderating the brain’s reward system, paving the way for new treatment options for addiction.
A group of researchers from the University of California, Irvine has uncovered that an antioxidant present in rosemary extract can lessen voluntary cocaine use by moderating the brain’s reward system, paving the way for new treatment options for addiction.
The research, recently published in the journal Neuron, highlights the team’s focus on a brain area known as the globus pallidus externus, which acts as a control point for our reactions to cocaine. They found that parvalbumin-positive neurons within the GPe play a significant role in managing the response to cocaine by altering the activity of neurons that release the pleasure-inducing chemical dopamine.
“Currently, there are no effective treatments for psychostimulant dependence, like cocaine, which, along with opioids, poses a significant health challenge,” explained corresponding author Kevin Beier, an associate professor of physiology and biophysics at UC Irvine. “This research enhances our understanding of the fundamental brain processes that heighten susceptibility to substance use disorders and lays the groundwork for developing new treatments.”
Experiments on mice indicated that parvalbumin-positive cells in the globus pallidus externus, which indirectly impact dopamine release, become more reactive after being exposed to cocaine. This exposure resulted in a decrease in the production of specific proteins that regulate membrane channels usually responsible for maintaining balanced activity in globus pallidus cells. The researchers discovered that carnosic acid, derived from rosemary extract, selectively binds to these affected channels, offering a targeted method to diminish the drug’s impact.
“Only a small group of individuals are at risk of developing a substance use disorder, and currently, we can’t precisely identify who they are. If we can show that globus pallidus cell activity is a reliable predictor of reaction to cocaine, it could potentially serve as a biomarker for identifying the most at-risk individuals,” Beier stated. “Additionally, carnosic acid might be administered to those at high risk to lessen their response to cocaine.”
The research team plans to investigate the potential negative side effects of carnosic acid thoroughly and to identify the optimal dosage and timing for its use. They are also eager to assess its effectiveness in curtailing cravings for other drugs and to create more potent and targeted variants.
This study involved not only UC Irvine researchers but also scientists from the University of West Virginia and the University of Colorado.
The research was funded by various grants from institutions including the National Institutes of Health, One Mind, the Alzheimer’s Association, New Vision Research, the BrightFocus Foundation, and the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation.
