Enzyme discovery ‘could aid addiction treatment’

Scientists at the University of California, San Francisco have discovered an enzyme that could play a key role in controlling addiction to nicotine and alcohol.

A team from the university's Ernest Gallo Clinic and Research Center has conducted a study in which mice were genetically engineered to lack the gene coding for protein kinase C (PKC) epsilon.

It was found that mice lacking this enzyme were less likely to consume solutions containing alcohol and nicotine, as well as being disinclined to return to the chamber in which the substance was delivered.

The researchers state that this suggests a key role for this enzyme in the brain's reward system, which affects craving for nicotine, alcohol and other addictive compounds.

Gallo senior associate director and investigator Dr Robert Messing said the ultimate goal of this line of research will be to create medications "to take the edge off of addiction by helping people get over some of their reward craving".

Last month, the American Society of Addiction Medicine released a new definition of addiction that classifies the condition as a chronic brain disorder instead of a simple behavioural issue.