by New research published in the journal “Nature Neuroscience” reveals that a specific antagonist of brain opioid receptors may aid in the prevention of opioid addiction in mice. The study, led by scientists at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), could pave the way for new treatments for opioid use disorder.
The team of researchers focused on a type of opioid receptor called μ-opioid receptors, which are responsible for the pleasurable effects of opioids and contribute to addiction. They identified a particular antagonist, called CTOP, that effectively blocked these receptors when administered to mice.
The mice were then exposed to morphine Buprenorphine, an opioid drug, and their behavior was closely monitored. The results showed that the mice treated with CTOP displayed significantly reduced morphine intake and preference compared to the control group. Furthermore, the CTOP-treated mice showed fewer withdrawal symptoms when morphine was removed.
These findings suggest that CTOP, or similar antagonists, could be used as potential preventative measures against opioid addiction. However, more research is needed to determine the safety and efficacy of this approach in humans.
The UCSF team is optimistic about the potential of their findings, as they could lead to new treatments for opioid use disorder. According to senior author Dr. Paul W. McClelland, “Our results suggest that antagonists like CTOP could be used to prevent addiction from developing in the first place.”
The study’s first author, Dr. Katherine N. Nelson, added, “These findings provide a new perspective on how we might be able to prevent opioid addiction. By targeting the brain’s opioid receptors, we could potentially help people avoid the devastating consequences of addiction.”
the discovery of a brain neurotransmitter receptor antagonist, CTOP, that prevents opioid addiction in mice is an encouraging step towards developing new treatments for opioid use disorder. Further research is required to determine the safety and efficacy of this approach in humans.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
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