Four new studies on the chemistry of addictions will be featured at the national meeting of the world's largest scientific society, the American Chemical Society. From how heavy drinking influences the brain chemicals that make us happy or stressed, to medications that would help prevent or control addictions to cocaine and PCP, these new research findings will be discussed at the ACS national meeting in New Orleans, August 22-26.

A symposium on the topic will be held in the Convention Center, R09, on Monday, Aug. 23, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. All papers are embargoed until the time of presentation, unless otherwise noted.

All four presenters will be available at a follow-up press briefing, to begin at 12:15 p.m., Convention Center, Room 201.

First medication to target pcp addiction

An antibody-based drug to provide immediate protection against the chronic abuse of phencyclidine (PCP) is being tested, offering new promise for a currently untreatable addiction. The technique uses monoclonal antibodies-identical copies of animal antibodies cloned and reproduced in the laboratory-to prevent or slow the entry of PCP into the brain. In animal studies, just one injection curbed the effects of PCP for at least two weeks-a period equivalent to one to two months in humans. (S. Michael Owens, Ph.D., University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock. MEDI 156, 9:00 a.m.)

Alcohol: The chemistry of the dark side
Animal studies of the effects of alcohol on brain chemistry may help explain why alcoholics experience long-lasting feelings of tension and distress-and why they tend to relapse. The studies show heavy drinking depletes the brain's supplies of the chemicals responsible for feelings of pleasure and well-being. Worse still, it promotes the release of stress chemicals that create tension and depression. The two factors in combination create a chemical imbalance that leaves alcoholics vulnerable to relapse. (George F. Koob, Ph.D., The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla. MEDI 157, 9:45 a.m.)

New non-addictive medication for cocaine addicts
A compound that has some of the properties of cocaine-but is not addictive-could help cocaine addicts in the same way methadone helps heroin addicts. Currently, no medical treatment for cocaine is available. Like cocaine, the compound affects dopamine, a brain chemical responsible for feelings of pleasure and well-being. Cocaine and other compounds that enter the brain rapidly tend to be addictive; the new compound enters the brain more slowly and is excreted at a much slower rate. Animal data suggest the medication could be given twice a week. (F. Ivy Carroll, Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, N. C. MEDI 158, 10:30 a.m.)

Potential vaccine to fight cocaine addiction
A new technique has induced the immune systems of test animals to create specific antibodies against cocaine. The antibodies keep the cocaine molecules from reaching their target, the central nervous system. Over a period of several weeks, the animals' bodies built up a sufficient number of antibodies to create an effective vaccine. In addition, a laboratory cloning technique has been used to create antibodies that, when injected in large quantities, reduce the toxic effects of cocaine overdose. ( Kim D. Janda, Ph.D., The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla. MEDI 158, 11:15)

A nonprofit organization with a membership of nearly 159,000 chemists and chemical engineers, the American Chemical Society publishes scientific journals and databases, convenes major research conferences, and provides educational, science policy and career programs in chemistry. Its main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio. (http://www.acs.org)