Mitigating symptoms and behaviors of substance abuse by modulating GDNF or BDNF pathway activity

摘要

This invention pertains to the discovery that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its associated signaling pathway is involved in reversing and/or counteracting neuroadaptations within the mesolimbic system that contribute to the development and/or maintenance of addiction (e.g. alcohol addiction). This invention also pertains to the discovery that ibogaine activity is mediated by changes in mRNA expression of GDNF. Thus, in certain embodiments, this inventioni provides a method of mitigating one or more symptoms of substance abuse in a mammal by increasing the expression or activity of GDNF, BDNF, RACK1, and/or the dopamine D3 receptor (D3R) in said mammal.