Neurotransmitters and receptors as the targets for addiction treatment: A short review

B. Srinivasa Reddy, M. Sathish Kumar, N. V. Rama Rao, A. Narendra Babu, N. Rama Rao, J. Manjunathan

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

Addiction is an important health problem which is characterized by a chronic relapsing disease with implications in social and economic life. Addiction research begins with the neurotransmitters and their mechanisms by which drugs acts and shows their effects. In this review we have presented an overview to summarize the role of neurotransmitters in addiction like Dopamine, Glutamate, Noradrenaline and Serotonin. Mesocorticolimbic dopamine system plays a crucial role in the mechanism responsible for the rewarding effects. All neurotransmitter levels in the addiction are based on the stimulant and inhibitory actions of the drugs. Receptors are the major targets for the neurotransmitters and drugs to show their actions. Drugs targetthe muscarnic and nicotinic receptors, which play a major role in the psycho stimulant addiction on the behavioral effects. Drugs which are having addiction properties are due to alterations in the intracellular pathway and also expression of gene products upon signaling.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)9-12
Number of pages4
JournalInternational Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Volume5
Issue numberSUPPL.1
StatePublished - 2013
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Addiction
  • Mesocorticolimbic system
  • Neurotransmitters
  • Receptors
  • Relapsing disease

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pharmacology
  • Pharmaceutical Science

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