Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have reported
successful preclinical tests of a new vaccine against heroin. The vaccine
targets heroin and its psychoactive breakdown products in the bloodstream,
preventing them from reaching the brain.
“Heroin-addicted rats deprived of the drug will normally
resume using it compulsively if they regain access, but our vaccine stops this
from happening,” said George F. Koob, who chairs TSRI’s addiction research
group, the Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders. If the vaccine
works as well in human trials, it could become a standard part of therapy for
heroin addiction, which is estimated to affect more than 10 million people
worldwide.