IBOGAINE-LIKE EFFECTS OF NORIBOGAINE IN RATS

Ibogaine is a naturally occurring alkaloid that has been claimed to be effective in treating addiction to opioids and stimulants; a single d ose is claimed to be effective for 6 months. Analogously, studies in r ats have demonstrated prolonged (one or more days) effects of ibogaine on morphine and cocaine self-administration even though ibogaine is m ostly eliminated from the body in several hours. These observations ha ve suggested that a metabolite may mediate some of the effects of ibog aine. Recently, noribogaine was identified as a metabolite of ibogaine . Accordingly, the present study sought to determine, in rats, whether noribogaine had pharmacological effects mimicking those of ibogaine. Noribogaine (40 mg/kg) was found to decrease morphine and cocaine self -administration, reduce the locomotor stimulant effect of morphine, an d decrease extracellular levels of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens a nd striatum. All of these effects were similar to effects previously o bserved with ibogaine (40 mg/kg); however, noribogaine did not induce any ibogaine-like tremors. The results suggest that noribogaine may be a mediator of ibogaine's putative anti-addictive effects.