IMPROVED METHODS OF AND COMPOSITIONS FOR THE PREVENTION OF ANXIETY, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, AND DEPENDENCE

摘要

Compositions for reducing dependency and addiction to substances of abuse are provided. Chloride channels such as the GABA_A receptors are altered under conditions of dependency and withdrawal such that the electrophysiological properties of the GABA_A receptor containing neurons are altered thereby providing a pathophysiological condition resulting in symptoms of dependency and withdrawal such as anxiety. Specifically, under conditions of withdrawal the relative ratio of the a1 receptor subunit decreases relative to the a4 receptor subunit. Endogenous neurosteroid production is also associated with the molecular changes underlying the alterations of GABA-gated chloride channels. Compositions of at least two compounds including at least one inhibitor of neurosteroid production are useful for treating the pathophysiology of addiction, dependency and substance abuse withdrawal.