New treatment for opioid addiction

Syfte och mål

The currently used anti-addiction drugs for opioids have several side effects that make the patient suffer. Besides, we have shown (Wikner et al., 2014) the increase mortality of buprenorphine and methadone. Interestingly, the use of both methadone and buprenorphine was intended to be analgesics. Methadone is one of the most common drugs used for opioid dependence since as early as1960s, while buprenorphine (trade name: Subtext®) was introduced in Sweden in 1999 for the same treatment. Herein, we propose new analogues for the same indication free from the inverse agonist effects.

Resultat och förväntade effekter

The design and plan of the studies have been gone through; for instance the project description including specific methods and the availability of equipment and facilities needed for carrying out them. Main studies include: antinociceptive study will be carried out to measure the antagonist action of the hybrids. Dependence studies in which applying the hybrids and control antagonist to compare effect on the withdrawal of morphine. cAMP levels and the binding affinity are among the important studies too.

Upplägg och genomförande

The technical issues and assisting expertise availability is fully established. Highlighted issues of follow up seminars and participating in relevant conferences were also included. Methods to e carried out: Cell culture: Primary murine astrocytes; preparation of mouse brain membranes; [35S]GTPS Binding Assay; cAMP Measurement; Antinociceptive tests, dependence studies and statistical analysis.