Can Naltrexone Reduce Amphetamine Abuse and Dependence?

Amphetamine abuse and dependence, which commonly involve reoccurrences and relapses, constitute a major public health problem. Effective pharmacologic interventions are greatly needed. Amphetamines, similar to cocaine, achieve their clinical effects and induce craving via dopaminergic systems involving mesolimbic and ventrotegmental areas, the substantial nigra, amygdala, and nucleus accumbens. Furthermore, μ-opioid receptors are colocalized on dopaminergic neurons, and craving in chronic cocaine abusers is associated with binding of μ-opioid receptors in the limbic area on PET scans. The opioid antagonist naltrexone has been found to limit subjective amphetamine effects in abusers and in healthy nonusers and to decrease cravings in abusers…