Medindia LOGIN REGISTER
Medindia
Advertisement

Anti-smoking Drug to Control Neurons

by Ramya Rachamanti on March 15, 2019 at 5:18 PM
Anti-smoking Drug to Control Neurons

Anti-smoking drug is re-purposed for a new indication - as a chemical switch to turn selective neurons on or off.

The drug latches on to designer proteins, called ion channels, that control whether or not a neuron will send a message. By putting those proteins only in certain groups of neurons, scientists can target modulation of specific cells while leaving other neurons unaffected.

Advertisement


The system, developed by Scott Sternson, a group leader at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Janelia Research Campus, is already helping researchers untangle brain circuits in mice and primates.

Someday, it might lead to more targeted treatments in humans for conditions such as epilepsy or pain, Sternson and his colleagues report in the journal Science.
Advertisement

Other scientists working on this approach, called chemogenetics, "often use molecules that would not be appropriate for human therapy," Sternson says. "It's still many steps to the clinic, but we're trying to shorten that route."

Chemogenetics has been around for about two decades: scientists have designed matched pairs of drugs and receptors that can change the activity of neurons in mice. Sternson's system uses a drug that gets into the brain and is already approved in humans. And it targets ion channel proteins, which influence neuron activity directly, so there's less potential for side effects. That might make it viable for eventual clinical use, he says -- a barrier that chemogenetic tools haven't yet hurdled.

Sternson's team combed through dozens of already-approved drugs before picking varenicline, a drug that reduces nicotine cravings. Then, the researchers tweaked the structure of two different ion channel proteins to make varenicline more likely to bind. One protein triggers neurons to send messages when varenicline latches on. Another blocks neurons from sending messages when varenicline is present.

"These are the most potent chemogenetic receptors described so far," Sternson says. Even low doses of varenicline - well below the level used for smoking cessation - can have a big effect on neural activity.

For now, scientists can use the system to draw connections between neural activity and an animal's behavior. Sternson's team has also engineered varenicline variants that are even better at targeting proteins and work at even lower doses than the original.

"For research applications, you want the most selective tool possible," Sternson says.

Down the road, the ability to selectively turn cells on or off could fuel more precise treatments for certain diseases. For example, some patients with severe epilepsy have surgery to remove the affected part of the brain. Drugs that target only neurons in this region could be a less invasive way to treat these patients. Sternson also envisions future pain treatments that send drugs only to an injured area, rather than to the entire body. This is important for reducing the incidence of addiction to painkillers, he says.

Janelia has licensed Sternson's technology to a new company, Redpin Therapeutics, that's running pre-clinical studies. Those experiments are the first step toward eventually testing the technology in people.



Source: Eurekalert
Font : A-A+

Advertisement

Advertisement
Advertisement

Recommended Readings

Latest Drug News

Anti-Obesity Drugs' Impact on Osteoarthritis Survival
The impact of anti-obesity drugs on survival rates among osteoarthritis patients is under scrutiny, evaluating their potential influence on mortality risks.
Can a Needle-Free Patch Transform Zika Protection?
Researchers create needle-free Zika vaccine patch, using HD-MAP tech, aiming to protect against fatal virus spread by mosquitoes.
Prolonging Market Exclusivity of Brand-name Insulin
Examining FDA and patent records, researchers found that insulin manufacturers prolong market exclusivity for brand-name products.
FDA Boosts Orphan Drug Designations for Myelofibrosis Treatments
The rise in FDA ODD awards indicates a collective endeavor to create new myelofibrosis medications devoid of mechanisms inducing anemia.
Anti-Rheumatic Drugs May Help Prevent Thyroid Disease
The most significant decrease in autoimmune thyroid disease risk was observed in rheumatoid arthritis patients receiving immunomodulatory drugs or 'biological DMARDs'.
View All
This site uses cookies to deliver our services.By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Use  Ok, Got it. Close
×

Anti-smoking Drug to Control Neurons Personalised Printable Document (PDF)

Please complete this form and we'll send you a personalised information that is requested

You may use this for your own reference or forward it to your friends.

Please use the information prudently. If you are not a medical doctor please remember to consult your healthcare provider as this information is not a substitute for professional advice.

Name *

Email Address *

Country *

Areas of Interests