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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

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Page Last Updated: 12-17-2008