Euphorogenic Properties of the Serotonergic Partial Agonist m-Chlorophenylpiperazine in Cocaine Addicts

Abstract

The role played by alterations in serotonergic function in cocaine addiction is mostly unexplored in humans. To explore this, we studied the behavioral, physiological, and endocrine responses of cocaine addicts to challenges with either a placebo or with the serotonin partial agonistm-chlorophenylpiperazine hydrochloride (m-CPP). Nineteen patients who were in good physical health, whose drug of choice was cocaine and had used it almost exclusively during the year preceding our study, and who metDSM-III-Rdiagnostic criteria for cocaine dependence or abuse were included in the study. Their mean (±SD) age was 35.1 ±7.2 years. They were tested after admission to our inpatient drug rehabilitation unit. The mean (±SD) number of days elapsed since drug discontinuation was 15.1 ±6.6. Patients receivedm-CPP (0.5 mg/kg) or placebo in identical capsules, in random sequence, at 9:30 AM, with a 2-day interval between test days and according to a double-blind