pharmacology

S. Waxman, MD, PhD. - Medical need for new analgesics is discussed by S. Waxman (Yale University) who evaluated the role of selective subtypes of sodium channels, particularly 1.7 and 1.8 subtypes, in the perception of pain. There is an unmet medical need for drugs to treat chronic pain and inhibitors of selective sodium channels are in development as novel analgesics.

Daniele Piomelli, PhD. - Another approach was discussed by D. Piomelli (University of California, Irvine). URB 597, an inhibitor of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), is expected to increase anandamide signaling and is being currently clinically tested in the therapy of pain. An increase in anandamide signaling may also be useful in the therapy of depression. This is a novel approach to the development of antidepressants. The signaling can be enhanced by blocking anadamide metabolism or by...

Gregory Rose from PharmExperts.com interviews J. Buccafusco (Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA) about his development of new anti-Altzheimer drugs, designed to act by multiple mechanisms to improve congnition. Desensitization of nicotinic receptors is one of the novel approaches proposed by Buccafusco. Three of his compounds are currently in advanced preclinical evaluation.

J.E. Barrett, PhD. - Translational medicine attempts to translate basic research findings to medical need. There is a medical need for novel drugs for the therapy of diseases of the central nervous system. The major recent research achievements are greater insights into the disease processes, but innovation in pharmaceutical industry is declining. To stimulate innovation the industry should establish more partnerships with academic institutions.

Sandeep Samudre shares his poster presentation at the Experimental Biology 2008 conference.

Rainer Buscher shares his poster presentation at the Experimental Biology 2008 conference.

Long Nguyen shares his poster presentation at the Experimental Biology 2008 conference.

Nakon Aroonsakool shares his poster presentation at the Experimental Biology 2008 conference.