Coupling Neurogenetics (GARS™) and a Nutrigenomic Based Dopaminergic Agonist to Treat Reward Deficiency Syndrome...

Area of Science:

• Neurogenetics
• Personalized Medicine
• Nutrigenomics

Background:

• Earlier work identified anti-addiction nutraceuticals and the Dopamine D2 Receptor Gene (DRD2) as the first polymorphic gene linked to alcoholism.
• The concept of Brain Reward Cascade and Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS) were developed to understand addiction risk stratification.
• Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS) defines a genetic basis for substance and non-substance addictive behaviors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop personalized medicine for addiction by utilizing genetic risk stratification.
• To customize a nutrigenomic therapy (KB220Z) based on individual genetic profiles.
• To evaluate the efficacy of KB220Z in reducing addiction severity and improving brain function.

Main Methods:

• Utilized polymorphic targets of reward genes (serotonergic, Opioidergic, GABAergic, Dopaminergic) to customize KB220 [Neuroadaptogen-amino-acid therapy (NAAT)].
• Administered customized KB220Z formulae to obese subjects and abstinent heroin addicts based on DNA polymorphisms.
• Developed the Genetic Addiction Risk Score (GARSpDx)™ panel of 10 genes to identify risk alleles.

Main Results:

• Customized KB220Z significantly decreased Body Mass Index (BMI) and weight in obese subjects.
• GARSpDx™ showed a statistically significant association with alcohol and drug severity scores.
• KB220Z increased resting state functional connectivity and activated key reward circuitry regions in abstinent heroin addicts.

Conclusions:

• KB220Z demonstrates enhanced dopaminergic functionality and brain volume recruitment within the brain reward circuitry.
• The proposed Reward Deficiency System Solution utilizes GARSpDx™ for early risk identification and stratification.
• Customized nutrigenomic targeting of risk alleles with KB220Z offers a potential novel solution for addiction and pain.