Cocaine vaccine may lower addiction: Study
POSTED October 8, 2009 - 13:17 | POSTED BY Kangna Agarwal
Last edited by Harpreet Bhagrath on October 8, 2009 - 15:51
Although the vaccine has shown limited success in the trials, it promises a future treatment of the cocaine addiction.
The findings of the study suggest that the experimental cocaine vaccine works by raising the levels of cocaine antibodies in the blood which obstruct the drug's ability to affect the brain.
115 addicts studied during experimental trial
Researchers from the Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut, conducted a 24-weeks trial of the experimental cocaine vaccine.
For the purpose of the study, 115 cocaine dependent individuals were enrolled for a 24-weeks trial.
All of these were randomly assigned to receive five doses of the active cocaine vaccine or the dummy treatment for over 12 weeks. The urine samples of the participants were also tested by the doctors, three times a week for a period of 24 weeks.
Experimental vaccine allowed addicts to limit drug use
The results of the trial showed that out of the total, 55 participants received all five doses of the cocaine vaccine. Of these, 21 (38 percent) attained antibody levels of 43 micrograms per millilitre or higher, which is essential to fight the cocaine response, said the experts.
Nearly 45 percent of those with the achieved antibody levels had significantly more cocaine-free urine samples between week nine and 16 of the trial than 35 percent participants who had achieved lower antibodies and those who received the dummy vaccinations.
The researchers also noted that 53 percent of those who responded well to the vaccine by achieving high antibody levels reduced their cocaine use by half as compared to 23 percent of those with low antibody levels.
The team noted no serious side effects apart from hardening of the injection site in some participants.
Previous studies also reveal similar findings stating that high levels of anti-cocaine antibodies in the blood can stop addicts experiencing a high.
More research required
Researchers of the study maintain that more research is needed to devise a vaccine which could maintain high levels of cocaine antibodies long enough to treat the cocaine addiction.
Lead researcher Bridget A. Martel, MD, of the Yale University School of Medicine and colleagues said that repeated booster vaccinations will be required to achieve the optimal treatment for cocaine addiction.
Latest figures report that nearly 2.5 million Americans were addicted to cocaine in 2007.
The findings of the study are published in the Archives of General Psychiatry.
