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Therapeutics development for addiction: Orexin-1 receptor antagonists
1Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
Brain Research
|August 28, 2018
Summary
Orexin receptor antagonists, particularly OX1 selective antagonists, show promise for treating addiction. While dual antagonists may help with alcohol addiction, OX1 selective antagonists are better for other drugs like cocaine due to fewer side effects.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
Background:
- The orexin system, comprising orexin A/B and OX1/OX2 receptors, regulates physiological processes like reward, sleep, and energy homeostasis.
- OX1 receptors are primarily linked to motivation and reward, while OX2 receptors modulate the sleep/wake cycle and energy balance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and categorize all reported orexin-1 selective antagonists (1-SORAs) based on their core structures.
- To discuss the potential therapeutic applications of 1-SORAs, dual orexin receptor antagonists (DORAs), and OX2 selective antagonists (2-SORAs) in addiction treatment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of disclosed OX1 antagonists.
- Analysis of reported dual orexin receptor antagonists (DORAs) and OX2 selective antagonists (2-SORAs) in reward and addiction models.
Main Results:
- A variety of 1-SORAs have been identified and evaluated for therapeutic potential in addiction.
- DORAs and 2-SORAs have also been investigated in reward and addiction models.
Conclusions:
- 1-SORAs are promising therapeutics for addiction, especially for drugs like cocaine, due to their targeted action on reward pathways without sedative side effects.
- DORAs may offer advantages for alcohol addiction due to the role of OX2 receptors in alcohol consumption, but 1-SORAs present a better option for non-sedative addiction treatment.
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