All articles tagged with #kappa opioid receptor
A compound called LY2444296 has shown promise in blocking alcohol cravings by targeting the kappa opioid receptor (KOP) in the brain, according to research conducted in mice at the Scripps Research Institute. The compound reduced alcohol withdrawal symptoms in mice, raising hopes for a potential therapy for alcohol use disorder. However, further study is needed to determine its effectiveness and safety in humans.
A compound called LY2444296, which blocks the kappa opioid receptor, has shown promise in significantly reducing alcohol consumption and withdrawal symptoms in animal models of alcohol dependence. This compound could potentially offer a breakthrough in treating alcohol use disorder (AUD) by targeting the brain’s KOP system. The research, funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, suggests that LY2444296 and similar compounds may provide new treatment avenues for AUD by focusing on the specific brain circuits involved in addiction and withdrawal.
Researchers have identified a potential new approach to developing painkillers that don’t cause addiction or hallucinations by targeting specific binding sites on the kappa opioid receptor and understanding the interaction of G proteins linked to the receptor. Pain-relieving drugs like morphine and oxycodone target the mu opioid receptor, which can lead to addiction, while alternative drugs targeting the kappa opioid receptor can cause hallucinations. Developing new drugs to target these other kappa receptor binding sites may relieve pain without either the addictive problems associated with older opioids or the hallucinations associated with the existing drugs that selectively target the kappa opioid receptor.