ANIMALS EXHIBITING AN ALTERED PREFERENCE FOR AN ADDICTIVE SUBSTANCE

摘要

An animal having an altered preference for an addictive substance, wherein the altered preference results from an altered amount and/or function of GABA_A subunit ß1 polypeptide. A method of screening for compounds of use in preventing or treating substance abuse wherein a non-human animal is administered a test compound and the effect of the test compound on the amount and/or function of GABA_A subunit ß1 polypeptide is assessed. A method for determining the likelihood that a person is, or may become, addicted to addictive substances comprising the steps of: (i) obtaining a sample containing nucleic acid and/or protein from the patient; and, (ii) determining the amount and/or function of GABA_A subunit ß1 polypeptide and/or determining the genotype of the person's GABA_A subunit ß1 gene.