摘要 |
The present invention is broadly directed to treatment of an addictive disease or disorder. In particular, the invention relates to inhibiting or reversing the biochemical and neurophysiological changes that correlate with behavioral changes of addictive diseases or disorders. The method of the invention comprises administering to a subject suspected of suffering from an addictive disease or disorder an amount of brain-derived factor (BDNF) or neurotrophin-4 (NT-4), or both, effective to reverse behavioral changes that are associated with the addictive disease or disorder. In a specific Example, administration of BDNF or NT-4 inhibits or reverses increased expression of tyrosine hydroxylase and glial ibrillary acidic protein in the ventral tegmental area of the brain, and inhibits or reverses increased levels of cyclic-AMP-dependent protein kinase activity in the nucleus accumbens. |