The international journal of neuropsychopharmacology
-
Int. J. Neuropsychopharmacol. · Jun 2020
The Molecular-Container Calabadion-2 Prevents Methamphetamine-Induced Reinstatement in Rats: A Potential Approach to Relapse Prevention?
Reexposure to methamphetamine with a single "priming dose" can trigger intense cravings and precipitate relapse in methamphetamine-dependent individuals. The acyclic cucurbit[n]uril "molecular container" calabadion-2 shows a high affinity to bind and sequester methamphetamine in vitro and attenuates its locomotor-stimulating effect in rats. The present study investigates whether pretreatment with calabadion-2 is sufficient to prevent the reinstatement of drug seeking by a priming dose of methamphetamine in rats. ⋯ These results demonstrate the effectiveness of calabadion-2 in a preclinical model relapse-like behavior. With further structural optimization, molecular containers may provide a novel and efficacious pharmacokinetic approach to relapse prevention for methamphetamine-dependent individuals.