LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hythiam, Inc. (NASDAQ:HYTM), announced today the presentation of data further supporting a mechanism of action underlying the company’s PROMETA Treatment Program. Dr. Sheryl Smith, a leading researcher in the field of neurosteroids, presented her findings earlier this week at the 2008 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting taking place in Washington, D.C. through November 19th. The study focused on methamphetamine dependent rats and highlighted a methamphetamine induced increase in the alpha-4 and delta subunit expression of the GABAA receptor that has been associated with states of hyper-excitability and anxiety. Receptor dysregulation of the alpha-4 subunit has previously been associated with alcohol, methamphetamine and neurosteroid withdrawal. The current study shows that a component of the PROMETA Treatment Program (PROMETA) reverses the increase in both alpha-4 and delta subunit expression in chronic methamphetamine treated rats.
