Neurotensin agonists: possible drugs for treatment of psychostimulant abuse

Life Sci. 2003 Jun 27;73(6):679-90. doi: 10.1016/s0024-3205(03)00388-6.

Abstract

Although many neuropeptides have been implicated in the pathophysiology of psychostimulant abuse, the tridecapeptide neurotensin holds a prominent position in this field due to the compelling literature on this peptide and psychostimulants. These data strongly support the hypothesis that a neurotensin agonist will be clinically useful to treat the abuse of psychostimulants, including nicotine. This paper reviews the evidence for a role for neurotensin in stimulant abuse and for a neurotensin agonist for its treatment.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antipsychotic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Central Nervous System Stimulants / pharmacology
  • Neurotensin / analogs & derivatives*
  • Neurotensin / pharmacology*
  • Peptide Fragments / pharmacology*
  • Receptors, Neurotensin / agonists*
  • Receptors, Neurotensin / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Substance-Related Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / metabolism

Substances

  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Central Nervous System Stimulants
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Receptors, Neurotensin
  • neurotensin 69L
  • Neurotensin