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Delta opioid agonists: a concise update on potential therapeutic applications.
1Center for Bioethics, Pain Management and Medicine, University City, MO, USA; Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals, Hazelwood, MO, USA.
Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics
|March 3, 2015
Summary
Selective delta opioid receptor (DOR) agonists show promise for treating pain and CNS disorders. Research is advancing to develop ligands with improved affinity and selectivity for therapeutic applications.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- The endogenous opioid system, including enkephalins, plays a role in physiological responses.
- Enkephalins mediate effects through G protein-coupled receptors like the delta opioid receptor (DOR).
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an update on the development and therapeutic potential of delta opioid receptor (DOR) ligands.
- To highlight progress in designing selective DOR agonists and antagonists.
Main Methods:
- Literature search of PUBMED and clinicaltrials.com.
- Keywords included delta opioid receptor, analgesia, and mood.
Main Results:
- Development of DOR agonist and antagonist ligands with increasing affinity and selectivity.
- Therapeutic utility studied primarily for pain relief and other clinical endpoints.
Conclusions:
- Selective DOR agonists offer a wider therapeutic window for potential CNS applications.
- Applications include pain, depression, and learning and memory.
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