Becker JE, Price JL, Leonard D, Suris A, Kandil E, Shaw M, Kroener S, Brown ES, Adinoff B. The Efficacy of Lidocaine in Disrupting Cocaine Cue-Induced Memory Reconsolidation.
Drug Alcohol Depend 2020;
212:108062. [PMID:
32480252 DOI:
10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.108062]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Revised: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
RATIONAL
Cue-induced craving memories, linked to drug-seeking behaviors, require key molecular processes for memory reconsolidation. Lidocaine, a sodium channel blocker, inhibits NMDA receptor activation and suppresses nitric oxide and ERK production. These processes are required for memory re-consolidation; inhibiting them may reduce cue-related craving memories in cocaine dependent subjects.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the efficacy of lidocaine in decreasing cue-induced cocaine craving and cocaine use.
METHODS
Treatment-seeking cocaine-dependent participants (n = 33, 25 men) were recruited. Personalized craving and relaxation scripts were developed. Participants were then randomly assigned in a double-blind design to either receive intravenous lidocaine immediately following a cocaine craving script (lidocaine/craving), saline following a craving script (saline/craving), or lidocaine following a relaxation script (lidocaine/relax). One week following the infusion, cue-induced craving was assessed in the same paradigm without an infusion. Cocaine use and craving were assessed for 4 weeks following infusion.
RESULTS
The administration of lidocaine during craving induction (lidocaine/craving) did not decrease cue-induced craving during craving reactivation one week later or craving and cocaine use over the 4-week follow-up period compared to the saline/craving group. There were no significant differences in craving and cocaine use between the lidocaine/relax and saline/craving groups.
CONCLUSION
Lidocaine administered following craving induction did not decrease subsequent cue-induced craving or cocaine use. Blocking the reconsolidation of craving-related memories with pharmacological agents remains an important area of investigation.
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