UC researchers develop antibody to neutralize cocaine high скачать в хорошем качестве

UC researchers develop antibody to neutralize cocaine high

CINCINNATI (WKRC) - Researchers at the University of Cincinnati say they have developed an antibody that neutralizes the high that comes from cocaine use. Andrew Norman, Ph.D., has been working on developing the cocaine antibody for 20 years. He works with a research team in a lab on campus. "It's been a long process. It's been a very exciting, but frustrating one as we have to meet all of these particular milestones along the way," Dr. Norman said. Dr. Norman said the hope is that the drug will be administered intravenously once a month to cocaine addicts. It binds to cocaine once in the bloodstream. The antibody had to be identified and developed over a number of years. "This particular drug is basically ready to go," said Dr. Norman. The antibody has been tested in rats that self-administer doses of cocaine using a bar. The cocaine goes into the rat's bloodstream and the rat will obtain more cocaine when it feels a craving by pressing a bar. An animation shows the process. "This will mimic many of the human manifestations of addictive behavior, so it's a very good model," said Dr. Norman. The antibody has been tested in the cocaine-addicted rats and works. After years of research with a team that includes Dr. Norman, Terry Kirley, Ph.D., and students, the drug is ready for human trials through a process with the Federal Drug Administration. It's a three-phase process that begins with the antibody being tested on healthy humans to ensure it is safe. The second phase tests the effectiveness in humans. In the third phase, the drug is used in the patient population at several centers across the country. The entire trial phase takes about five years. Dr. Kirley said working on the antibody has been rewarding because it allows him to use his training in biochemistry to help people who are addicted to a drug that can destroy their lives and in some cases kill them. "This particular treatment is going to require that they want to quit, but most people eventually get to that point, and if they want to quit, this will help them quit," said Dr. Kirley. Dr. Norman stresses the drug would have to be used with other treatments for drug addiction, which include psychological therapy and other treatment. "It's not a silver bullet, but it is a very first important step because if this works and it's able to stop some people from proceeding along the cocaine addiction pathway, that would be very gratifying," Dr. Norman said. The federal government has provided funding for the research.