Posted by SLS on October 7, 2001, at 8:55:54
In reply to Re: CAM: question about neurokinin receptors » Mitch, posted by Cam W. on October 6, 2001, at 23:22:14
> Mitch - I haven't looked much into neurokinin receptors or their inhibitors for a couple of years now. This is ever since Substance P blockers turned out to have to many side effects to be clinically useful. I think that neurokinin receptors are too widespread to be of any specific use in depression &/or pain modulation (I am not sure of this, though). Perhaps looking at the adenosine-1A (A1A) receptor may be more useful for finding a pain-control mechanism.
>
> I know that MK-869 is being investigated in Britain (in Phase I trials) but I haven't paid much attention.
>
> I have dwelt more on the cytokines and their role as second messengers intracellularly. There seems to be some connection with certain cytokines being involved with both the immune system and development of depression.
>
> Sorry - Cam
A few years ago, a single study using a substance P antagonist to treat depression generated quite a bit of excitement when the results demonstrating robust effects was published. It drew lots of media attention. However, over the subsequent six months, these results were contradicted by other studies, and the first study was generally accepted as being invalid. Most of the pending studies were dropped. I am surprised that there is renewed interest in substance P. Perhaps other neurokines are being looked at. Perhaps the first study was right afterall??? I hope so.
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:80156
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011007/msgs/80520.html