PET IMAGING OF OPIATE RECEPTORS IN COCAINE ABUSE

这项研究的长期目标是阐明Mu阿片剂的作用。 用正电子发射断层扫描研究可卡因成瘾中的受体。 了解可卡因强化机制的努力已经 最近重点研究了内源性阿片和阿片受体的作用。 有令人信服的实验动物数据表明可卡因 影响鸦片系统；这些结果正在成功地应用于 使用部分阿片类激动剂治疗可卡因成瘾者， 丁丙诺啡。宠物第一次提供了这样的机会 用MU-阿片受体测定人类可卡因成瘾者的MU-阿片受体 选择性配体，11C-卡芬太尼。由此得出的初步结果 实验室很有希望：大脑几个区域的阿片受体 吸食可卡因的人数显著增加。因此，这一行动的具体目的是 建议是：测量可卡因中的大脑局部Mu阿片受体 滥用者使用11C-卡芬太尼和PET。假设：可卡因的使用是 与大脑奖赏区域内阿片受体增加有关 如杏仁核、扣带回和纹状体。拟议的研究 设计利用PET的非侵入性来比较MU阿片剂 可卡因成瘾者在长期滥用和戒除期间的受体， 以及将PET数据与客观和主观测量相关联 可卡因滥用。这项提议的医学意义有三个方面： 进一步了解可卡因强化的机制，以 个体化药物治疗，为可卡因的预后做出贡献 瘾君子。

The long-term goal of this study is to elucidate the role of mu opiate receptors in cocaine addiction using positron emission tomography (PET). Efforts to understand the reinforcement mechanisms of cocaine have recently focused on the role of endogenous opioids and opiate receptors. There is compelling experimental animal data demonstrating that cocaine affects the opiate system; these results are being successfully applied to the treatment of cocaine addicts using the partial opioid agonist, buprenorphine. PET provides, for the first time, the opportunity to measure mu-opiate receptors in human cocaine addicts by the use of the mu- selective ligand, 11C-carfentanil. Preliminary results from this laboratory are promising: mu-opiate receptors in several brain regions are significantly increased in cocaine abusers. Thus, the specific aim of this proposal is: To measure regional brain mu opiate receptors in cocaine abusers using 11C-carfentanil and PET. Hypothesis: Cocaine use is associated with increases in mu opiate receptors in brain reward regions such as amygdala, cingulate cortex and striatum. The proposed research design utilizes the noninvasive nature of PET to compare mu opiate receptors in cocaine addicts during chronic abuse and during abstinence, as well as correlates PET data with objective and subjective measures of cocaine abuse. The medical significance of this proposal is threefold: to further understanding of the mechanisms of cocaine reinforcement, to individualize pharmacotherapy, and to contribute to prognosis for cocaine addicts.