Opioids: Not Just For Physical Pain Anymore

Article Title: "New type of antidepressant shows promise in trials"
Author: “Spectator Health reporter”
Posted: November 7th, 2017
Link: https://health.spectator.co.uk/new-type-of-antidepressant-shows-promise-in-trials/

Figure 1: This picture shows traditionally prescribed antidepressants.

                According to various studies, one in six adults will experience some form of depression over the course of their lifetime. The most widely used form of medication used to treat depression are SSRI’s. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, also known as SSRIs, work by blocking serotonin from nerve cells that normally would absorb the serotonin. As a result, more serotonin is present to passed around to more nerve cells. Unfortunately, a study from Northwestern University concluded that more than half of the individuals who took traditional antidepressants (SSRIs) were unaffected by the medication they were taking. However, scientists at the University of Bath may have discovered a new type of antidepressant to help those who were not helped by traditional antidepressants.

               

                Researchers at the University of Bath developed a compound, known as BU10119 is an opioid-based compound. When tested in mice, the mice demonstrated behaviors consistent with various antidepressants. However, this new compound is different.  BU10119 is said to be a combination of buprenorphine and naltrexone.  The synthesis of these drugs was said to have helpful effects. After doing more in-depth research, studies shared that BU10119 acted as a Kappa-opioid receptor blocker.  Κappa-opioid receptors can trigger feelings of despair in depressed patients. By blocking uptake to these receptors, this compound has the potential to be a new depression medication. The studies in mice that explored this phenomenon showed significant potential.

Picture 2: The structural formula for BU10119

                This article appears to discuss chemistry in a positive manner. While the article does not explicitly say that chemistry is good or bad, the language used conveys hopefulness. The result of testing this new compound in mice was found to be pretty successful. As a result, the article carries a bit of hope for people who do not benefit from traditionally used antidepressants. There is no condemning of science in the article.

References:

“New Type of Antidepressant Shows Promise in Trials.” Spectator Health, 7 Nov.

            2017, health.spectator.co.uk/new-type-of-antidepressant-shows-promise-in-

            trials/.

Northwestern University. "Why Antidepressants Don't Work For So Many."

            ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 27 October 2009.

            www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091023163346.htm

“Overview: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs).” NHS , NHS,

            www.nhs.uk/conditions/ssri-antidepressants/. Updated 02/10/2018

Lalanne, Laurence et al. “The Kappa Opioid Receptor: From Addiction to Depression,

 and Back.” Frontiers in Psychiatry 5 (2014): 170. PMC. Web. 17 Oct. 2018.

Almatroudi, Abdulrahman, et al. “Antidepressant-like Effects of BU10119, a Novel

Buprenorphine Analogue with Mixed κ/μ Receptor Antagonist Properties, in Mice.” British Journal of Pharmacology, vol. 175, no. 14, June 2017, pp. 2869–2880., doi:10.1111/bph.14060.