Local researchers have unique approach to fighting addiction

CINCINNATI (WKRC) – Flipping a "switch" off in the brain may be the next step in stopping addiction, and scientists have discovered we may be able to do that with a breakthrough therapy they have been working on for nearly two decades.

Researchers have been laying the groundwork to find out why certain medications commonly used to treat addiction work with some drugs, but not others.

Now, they say it may be because certain drugs, such as cocaine, work differently than previously thought in the brain.

It was the party drug of the decade when Aaron Laine got hooked on it.

“At the time, cocaine made me feel fantastic,” said Laine, who is in addiction recovery.

Even as newer drugs appeared to replace the demand for cocaine, therapy treatments to fight everything from heroin to opioid addictions didn’t seem to help people like Laine, who were addicted to cocaine.

“The issue really is that there is no FDA-approved treatment for cocaine addiction,” said Dr. Andrew Norman, a UC Health researcher.

Laine now says he is one of the lucky ones.

“I ended up going to a rehab for that,” he said.

Not only did he survive his addiction, he’s five years sober. He admits, however, that his work isn't done.

“The psychological thing is something I have to continue to work on, even five years into this,” he said.

There could soon be another tool to help with that long struggle. Dr. Norman’s team is awaiting approval from the FDA to begin the first human trials in a whole new approach to treating cocaine addiction.

It uses something we’ve been hearing a lot about during the pandemic.

“We came up with the idea of taking a so-called monoclonal antibody, and these are specific antibodies, and they are used therapeutically a lot these days for various things, including COVID-19,” said Dr. Norman.

In early lab studies, his team has shown that cocaine is addictive not because it reinforces the traditional pleasure centers in the brain, but rather because it impacts a part of the brain linked to repetitive behavior.

He demonstrated how a computer mouse would start slowly as the person starts to take the drug, and then begin to pick up the pace as the drug takes over that repetitive behavior part of the brain.

Just like a monoclonal antibody was created to stop COVID-19 from entering the cells and progressing in the body:

“We decided that we would create one against cocaine,” said Dr. Norman.

The antibody created by his team binds to cocaine. It essentially switches off the on-ramp, and prevents it from entering the brain.

“So, the idea is I wouldn’t feel the effect I’m supposed to feel, correct?” asked Local 12 medical reporter Liz Bonis.

He says his goal is to use it as long-term therapy.

“This antibody will just prevent cocaine from triggering a relapse event,” said Dr. Norman.

It isn't just supposed to stop the addiction, but stop the behavior so that people like Laine, who are struggling, can deal with some of the other triggers that are often behind the addiction.

“I think the catalyst was the stress of my life,” said Laine.

Dr. Norman’s team has shown that in the lab, this could be a game-changer. He does say it’s too soon to know if it would work for other drugs.

As soon as the FDA gives the green light, he will begin human trials.