Treatment of Cocaine Abuse and Other Mental Disorders
Background:
The Medicinal Chemistry and
Psychobiology Sections, National Institute on Drug Abuse-Intramural
Research Program, National Institutes of Health, is seeking
statements of capability or interest from parties interested in
collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or
commercialize 1) medications based on novel benztropine analogs to
treat cocaine abuse and addiction; and 2) methods of using these
analogs for treatment of mental and conduct disorders. The
benztropine analogs are highly selective and potent inhibitors of
DAT, but without an apparent cocaine-like behavioral profile. In
addition to their use as a treatment for cocaine abuse, these
compounds have also shown efficacy in animal models of ADHD and
nicotine abuse, and have also been shown to reduce food intake in
animals. They may also be useful medications for other indications
where dopamine-related behavior is compromised, such as alcohol
addiction, tobacco addiction, and Parkinson's
disease.
Potential Areas of
Applications:
- Drug leads for treatment of cocaine abuse, ADHD, nicotine
abuse, obesity, and other dopamine-related disorders.
- Imaging probes for dopamine transporter binding sites.
Technology:
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter
that exerts important effects on locomotor activity, motivation and
reward, and cognition. The dopamine transporter (DAT) is expressed
on the plasma membrane of dopamine synthesizing neurons, and is
responsible for clearing dopamine released into the extra-cellular
space, thereby regulating neurotransmission. The dopamine
transporter plays a significant role in neurotoxicity and human
diseases, such as Parkinson's disease, drug abuse (especially
cocaine addiction), Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD), and a number of other CNS
disorders. Therefore, the dopamine transporter is a strong target
for research and the discovery of potential therapeutics for the
treatment of these indications.
Development
Status:
Pre-clinical
IP Status:
- U.S. Provisional Application filed August, 2005.
- PCT Application filed August, 2006 .
Contact
Information:
Vio Conley NCI
Technology Transfer Center
Phone: 301-435-2031
E-mail: conleyv@mail.nih.gov
Reference: #455 VC
Updated 10/25/2007