Facilitation of memory retrieval by the "anti-addictive" alkaloid, ibogaine.

Ibogaine, an indole alkaloid, may help treat addiction by facilitating access to past experiences. In rats trained on the Morris maze spatial navigation task, ibogaine (0.25 or 2.5 mg/kg) and O-desmethyl-ibogaine (2.5 mg/kg), but not t-Butyl ibogaine, improved spatial memory retrieval compared to placebo. The authors conclude that while ibogaine's NMDA receptor antagonism may contribute to its effects, facilitation of memory retrieval could also play a role in its anti-addictive properties.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Anecdotal observations in humans indicate that indole alkaloid ibogaine may have anti-addictive properties. It has been suggested that the therapeutic action of ibogaine may depend upon facilitated access to the past experiences, purportedly influencing the initiation of drug addiction. To determine if ibogaine may facilitate memory retrieval, rats were trained in the Morris maze spatial navigation task. It has been found that ibogaine (0.25 or 2.5 mg/kg) or O-desmethyl-ibogaine (2.5 mg/kg) but not t-Butyl ibogaine, administered just before the test trial, facilitated spatial memory retrieval compared to rats receiving placebo treatment. It is concluded that although previously described NMDA receptor antagonistic properties of ibogaine may represent a locus for at least some of its actions, other mechanisms, involving facilitation of memory retrieval may be of importance for its anti-addictive effects.