Methods for modulating a drug-related effect or behavior

Abstract

The present invention provides a method of reducing or preventing a drug-related effect or behavior in a subject by inhibiting N-type calcium channels. In addition, the invention provides a variety of prescreening and screening methods aimed at identifying agents that modulate a drug-related effect or behavior. These methods involve assaying test agent binding to N-type calcium channels or channel subunits. Alternatively, test agents can be screened for their ability to alter the level of N-type calcium channels, channel subunit polypeptide or RNA, or the depolarization-induced inward calcium current mediated by these channels. Finally, the invention also provides a diagnostic method that entails measuring one or more of these levels and determining risk for a drug-related effect or behavior based on comparison to the corresponding level for a control population.

1 .- 32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . A method of screening for an agent that that modulates a drug-related effect or behavior, the method comprising:
 a) selecting an N-type calcium channel modulator as a test agent; and   b) measuring the ability of the selected test agent to modulate a drug-related effect or behavior in an animal model.   
     
     
         34 . The screening method of  claim 33 , wherein said selecting comprises selecting an N-type calcium channel inhibitor as a test agent. 
     
     
         35 . The screening method of  claim 33 , wherein the drug comprises a drug selected from the group consisting of ethanol, a cannabinoid, and an opioid. 
     
     
         36 . The screening method of  claim 33 , wherein the drug-related effect or behavior comprises an effect or behavior selected from the group consisting of a sedative effect, a hypnotic effect, an ataxic effect, drug reward, and drug consumption. 
     
     
         37 .- 40 . (canceled)