Florida Researchers Explore New Meth Addiction Treatment

Neuroscientists at the University of Florida have made a surprising discovery involving a sequence of brain reactions that could influence future meth addiction treatment approaches.

The process in question involves spikes of dopamine caused by methamphetamine and a key signaling protein, tumor necrosis factor-alpha. TNF is known for causing inflammation responses. 

New findings from the study, published in Science Signaling, suggest that this interplay between TNF and methamphetamine could lead to advancements in addiction treatment and behavioral health care.

Meth Use and Brain Inflammation

Led by Habibeh Khoshbouei, Ph.D., the preclinical study at the McKnight Brain Institute explored how methamphetamine may influence brain function, using mouse brain specimens.

Beyond its well-known effects on the body’s dopamine pleasure and reward system, methamphetamine is also capable of causing inflammation as well as tissue damage and tooth decay.

The study has experts considering how existing TNF-inhibiting drugs, currently used to treat conditions like Crohn’s disease, might one day be adapted for addiction treatment.

Hope for Future Meth Addiction Treatment

It’s hoped that by focusing research efforts on TNF pathways specifically, advancements could be made that might support affected individuals by lessening cravings and dependencies, as well as the aggressive inflammation caused by meth use. This would potentially make inpatient detox a much more comfortable process.

“This is a huge first step to show that there’s a dopaminergic target for TNF,” said the study’s co-author, Marcelo Febo Ph.D., “Now the next steps will be to see how it controls different aspects of drug seeking.” 

Currently, there are no FDA-approved medications specifically designed to treat meth addiction. So, should these findings gain momentum, this could make for groundbreaking developments in the world of substance abuse treatment.

Flexible addiction treatment programs in Florida and throughout the US are available to help individuals begin recovery from meth and other substance use disorders. Get help for you or a loved one today by calling 800-681-1058 (Sponsored) .