Abstract:
Cocaine addiction is a complex condition with a wide impact on society. There is currently no effective medication to help mitigate cocaine addiction. In recent years, emerging data have connected mood disorders with alterations in the gut microbiota. Here, using the self-administration rat model, we demonstrate the longitudinal effect of cocaine consumption on the gut microbiota. In addition, providing dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA, a food supplement approved in recent clinical trials for treating addiction) at the extinction phase, promoted a shift in the gut microbial community towards that of the sham group. This was in parallel to a decrease in substance craving. Furthermore, at the genus level, DHEA facilitated the abundance of Ruminococcus gnavus. Interestingly, application of Ruminococcus gnavus attenuated relapse to cocaine usage. The ability to develop a dietary-supplement intervention (food, probiotics) based on these results may prove innovative for future addiction rehabilitation.
Current status:
advanced preclinical study was completed.
a provisional was issued.
Summary Project 6:
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A specific bacteria was proved to attenuate craving in a valid animal model for addiction.
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The bacteria is endogenous (in the host gut) with no pathological properties, rather that allow rehabilitation
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High efficacy accessible to the host.
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Safe. No side effects.
