Exploring the Relationship between AMPK and Drug Addiction: a Molecular Biology Perspective

HAN Shuang^1,2#, HE Yiwen^1,2,3#, QIAN Min^1,2, XIE Fengao^1,2, NIE Tingting^1,2, LI Min¹^,2,4,5,6*

(¹The First College of Clinical Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang 443003; ²Yichang Central People's Hospital, Yichang 443003; ³College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Three Gorges University, Yichang 443002; ⁴Hubei Province Clinical Medical Research Center for Rare Diseases of Nervous System, Yichang 443000; ⁵Key Laboratory of Neural Regeneration and Repair in Yichang, Yichang 443000; ⁶Third-grade Pharmacological Laboratory on Traditional Chinese Medicine, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China Three Gorges University, Yichang 443002)

Abstract:

Drug addiction is a major global public health issue, imposing significant physiological, psy chological, and social burdens. In recent years, AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase), a key regulator of cellular energy metabolism, has garnered widespread attention for its role in the onset and progression of drug addiction. AMPK, by sensing intracellular energy fluctuations, regulates a range of physiological processes such as autophagy, oxidative stress, and neuronal adaptive changes, thereby reducing the occurrence of drug addiction. Furthermore, the activation of AMPK can improve neuroadaptive changes during the process of drug addiction by modulating synaptic plasticity, neuronal excitability, and gene expression. This paper aims to explore the role of AMPK in the onset and progression of drug addiction from a molecular biology perspective, with the goal of providing a theoretical basis for the development of novel therapeutics targeting AMPK for the treatment of drug addiction.

CSTR: 32200.14.cjcb.2025.06.0021