Researchers have discovered that blocking a hormone related to hunger regulation can limit cravings in cocaine addiction. These findings could herald a new approach to cocaine addiction treatment.

The study identified how the melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) works with dopamine in the brain's "pleasure center" to create an addictive response to cocaine abuse.

MCH, a neuropeptide expressed in central and peripheral nervous systems, plays an important role in the control of feeding behaviors and energy metabolism.

The researchers further found that blocking MCH in these brain cells limited cocaine cravings.

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter essential to the normal functioning of the central nervous system. It also is associated with feelings of pleasure and is released in the brain during eating, sex and drug use. Heightened levels of the neurotransmitter have been detected in the nucleus accumbens (pleasure center) of drug addicts.

Buildup of dopamine causes continuous stimulation of receiving neurons, which is associated with the euphoria commonly reported in cocaine addiction.

Cocaine addiction is thought to be primarily a result of the drug’s ability to inhibit the re-absorption of dopamine by nerve cells.

The study is the first to detail the interaction of MCH and dopamine in cocaine addiction and show that it occurs in the nucleus accumbens, a portion of the forebrain believed to play an important role in addiction and feelings of pleasure and fear.

"This discovery indicates that MCH is a key regulator of dopamine in a brain area associated with both pleasure and addiction," says Olivier Civelli, study author. "We believe that efforts to target MCH may lead to new cocaine addiction treatment and, possibly, other drug addiction treatment, like amphetamines and nicotine."

In mammals, MCH is involved with the regulation of feeding behavior and energy balance. High levels of the hormone can intensify feelings of hunger, and researchers worldwide have been seeking compounds to lower MCH for potential use in the treatment of obesity.

The researchers believe MCH works in the nucleus accumbens to increase the pleasure of eating. They found that dopamine signaling rose when MCH amounts increased in those brain cells.

The researchers found that test mice conditioned to develop cocaine cravings had increased amounts of MCH and dopamine in their nucleus accumbens. When experimental compounds blocking MCH proteins were administered, those cravings disappeared. In addition, the researchers discovered that mice lacking key receptors for MCH exhibited significantly fewer cocaine cravings.

They hope to learn whether modulating MCH might be beneficial in addiction treatment in other dopamine-related disorders as well.

Read more about cocaine overdose dangers.

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References:
1. Shinjae Chung, Olivier Civelli, et al. University of California - Irvine.
2. Songzhu An, Gene Cutler, Jack Jiagang Zhao, Shu-Gui Huang, Hui Tian, Wanbo Li, Lingming Liang, Miki Rich, Amy Bakleh, Juan Du, Jin-Long Chen, and Kang Dai. Identification and characterization of a melanin-concentrating hormone receptor. PNAS, vol.98, no. 13.
3. The National Institute on Drug Abuse.
4. Image by May May I?

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