Butyrylcholinesterase levels and subjective effects of smoked cocaine in healthy cocaine users.

Background: Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) is beginning to attract attention as a possible target for cocaine abuse treatment because of its role in metabolizing cocaine.

Objective: The purpose of this analysis was to assess whether endogenous BChE levels are associated with the subjective effects of cocaine.

Methods: Data from 28 participants in five inpatient cocaine self-administration studies were included in the present analysis.

Effects of acute oral naltrexone on the subjective and physiological effects of oral D-amphetamine and smoked cocaine in cocaine abusers.

Despite the prevalent worldwide abuse of stimulants, such as amphetamines and cocaine, no medications are currently approved for treating this serious public health problem. Both preclinical and clinical studies suggest that the opioid antagonist naltrexone (NTX) is effective in reducing the abuse liability of amphetamine, raising the question of whether similar positive findings would be obtained for cocaine. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of oral NTX to alter the cardiovascular and subjective effects of D-amphetamine (D-AMPH) and cocaine (COC).