Given the highly consistent data from preclinical studies that SR reduces the reinforcing value of appetitive stimuli, clinical trials for CB1 antagonists were undertaken primarily as a way to quell appetite in the treatment of obesity and reduce smoking. Two studies were conducted regarding the use of SR treatment in alcohol abuse and dependence prior to the discontinuation of all clinical trials due to negative psychiatric effects (Maccioni et al., 2010). In marked contrast to the results obtained in mice and rats, both of these studies concluded that SR failed to alter any parameters associated with ethanol consumption or abstinence in treatment seeking (Soyka et al., 2008) and non-seeking (George et al., 2010) subjects. Because all human trials with CB1 antagonists have been discontinued for safety reasons, it is unlikely that the reason for the discrepancy in clinical and preclinical data can be resolved. However, as future work examines the involvement of other components of the EC system in alcohol dependence and abuse it may be possible to leverage this neurotransmitter system for therapeutic potential.
