Trace Amine-Associated Receptor 1 and Cocaine Abuse

Abuse of and addiction to psychostimulants, including cocaine, remains a medical challenge. Currently there are no Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs to treat psychostimulant addiction. The investigation of novel drug targets to combat psychostimulant addiction remains a critical approach. Trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR 1) has recently been recognized as a novel drug target that plays an essential role in the modulation of drug abuse. This chapter presents existing preclinical evidence concerning the functional interactions between TAAR 1 and the dopaminergic system. As a new G-protein coupled receptor, TAAR 1 interacts with the dopamine transporter and dopamine D2 receptors dynamically. TAAR 1 knockout mice are hypersensitive to dopaminergic activation while TAAR 1 agonists reduce the neurochemical effects of psychostimulants including cocaine, attenuate a variety of addiction-related behavioral effects of cocaine and methamphetamine. The prevailing evidence strongly suggests that TAAR 1 agonists appear to be promising pharmacotherapies against psychostimulant addiction.