Trace amine-associated receptor 1: A promising target for the treatment of psychostimulant addiction

Abstract

Abuse of and addiction to psychostimulants remains a challenging clinical issue; yet no effective pharmacotherapy is available. Trace amine associated receptor 1 (TAAR 1) is increasingly recognized as a novel drug target that participates in the modulation of drug abuse. This review analyzed existing preclinical evidence from electrophysiological, biochemical to behavioral aspects regarding the functional interactions between TAAR 1 and dopaminergic system. TAAR 1 knockout mice demonstrate increased sensitivity to dopaminergic activation while TAAR 1 agonists reduce the neurochemical effects of cocaine and amphetamines, attenuate abuse- and addiction-related behavioral effects of cocaine and methamphetamine. It is concluded that TAAR 1 activation functionally modulates the dopaminergic activity and TAAR 1 agonists appear to be promising pharmacotherapies against psychostimulant addiction.

Keywords: Addiction; Behavior; Cocaine; Methamphetamine; TAAR 1.

Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Figures

Fig. 1

Effects of the TAAR 1 agonist RO5263397 on cue-induced reinstatement behavior in rats self-administering cocaine (left), methamphetamine (middle) or sucrose (right). * P < 0.05, ** P < 0.01, *** P < 0.001 as compared to vehicle-pretreated group. Data redrawn from Thorn et al. (2014) and Jing et al., (2015).