Alzheimer's treatment could help overcome opioid addiction



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The results of clinical trials reveal that a drug used to treat Alzheimer's disease may also be an effective treatment for opioid-dependent people. The results are published in the American Journal on Addictions.

The drug, called galantamine, would have a dual mechanism of action: it increases levels of a chemical messenger called acetylcholine in the brain and also binds to nicotinic receptors, which play a role in addiction to nicotine and other substances.

Participants taking galantamine had fewer opioid-positive urine samples than those taking placebo, which corroborated the abstinence reported by those taking galantamine. In addition, participants who took opioids during follow-up took longer to do so if they were part of the galantamine group.

"My colleagues and I are excited about these preliminary results as they could point to new strategies to help people with opioid-related disorders, and we hope to continue on this path in future research." said the main author, Kathleen Carroll, Yale University School of Medicine.


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More information:
American Journal on Addictions (2019). DOI: 10.1111 / ajad.12904

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The treatment of Alzheimer's disease could help overcome opioid addiction (June 5, 2019)
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