Peking University, Apr. 27, 2012: Led by Professor Lu Lin, Dean of National Institute on Drug Dependence (PKU), the research group discovered a memory retrieval-extinction procedure to prevent drug craving and relapse. Science Vol.336 (#6078), published on April 13, 2012, introduced this discovery on page 241 to 245.

Also in this issue of Science was a related review article entitled Wiping Drug Memories, on page 167 to 168, which was written by Barry Everitt, a famous neurobiologist at the University of Cambridge. This discovery has aroused global attention, and over 20 worldwide media, such as BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation), reported it at once. The discovery also received much funds.

Due to Professor Lu Lin’s introduction, drug addiction, such as cocaine and heroin, has become a serious social and healthful problem. It is hard to eradicate drug addiction because of its psychological dependence. Any related clues, such as the same atmosphere or the same partner when taking drugs before, could cause such psychological dependence, and therefore make the addicts who are under drug treatments start taking drugs again. However, the medicine for treating drug addiction is very limited and has much side effect nowadays.

In the discovery, the researchers described a memory retrieval-extinction procedure that decreased conditioned drug effects and drug seeking in rat models of relapse, and drug craving in abstinent heroin addicts. In rats, daily retrieval of drug-associated memories 10 minutes or 1 hour but not 6 hours before extinction sessions attenuated drug-induced reinstatement, spontaneous recovery, and renewal of conditioned drug effects and drug seeking.

In heroin addicts, retrieval of drug-associated memories 10 minutes before extinction sessions attenuated cue-induced heroin craving 1, 30, and 180 days later.

The memory retrieval-extinction procedure is a promising nonpharmacological method for decreasing drug craving and relapse during abstinence. As this method does not involve medicine treatment, so it is possible to avoid the side effect, therefore provide a new way dealing with drug addition and related diseases.

Written by: Gao Hongfei

Edited by: Arthars

Source: PKU News (Chinese)