[Action on the emotional-reinforcement systems of the brain as a means of pathogenetic therapy for alcoholism and drug addiction].

The influence of alcohol and drugs with dependence liability (morphine, cocain, amphetamine, diazepam, pentobarbital) on emotionally positive reactions produced by hypothalamic stimulation has been studied in rats. All the drugs activated electrial self-stimulation of the brain and this effect was regarded as a basic one for the euphorigenic action thereof. Methods of estimation and prediction of effective drugs for prevention and therapy of dependence have been developed. Antieuphoric action is considered to be one of the important means of pathogenetic therapy of psychological dependence on narcotic drugs.