This application is in response to RFA-DA-04-014, which calls for research to identify, evaluate, and develop safe and effective pharmacological treatments for cannabis-related disorders (CRDs). In particular, we propose to directly address the persistent disorders of cannabis abuse and dependence by synthesizing and pharmacologically evaluating candidate medications that can be further developed into useful pharmacotherapies. Currently, there is no accepted medication for cannabis abuse and dependence, and the most widely studied cannabis-antagonist, SR 141716A (Rimonabant(r)), is being developed instead for the treatment of smoking behavior and obesity. Moreover, like all other available cannabis-antagonists, SR 141716A is not a neutral antagonist but, rather, an inverse agonist with direct behavioral effects. Therefore, we plan to address the need for novel and safe medications by synthesizing and pharmacologically identifying highly selective, neutral CB-1 antagonists. We are targeting neutral antagonists because this type of compound should be less handicapped than inverse agonists by direct behavioral effects. Consequently, neutral antagonists may be especially useful for helping cannabis-addicted individuals withdraw from drug use and avoid relapse. In our preliminary studies, we already have successfully synthesized a selective CB-1 antagonist that is silent in functional biochemical tests of either agonist or inverse agonist activity. In our proposed research, we will continue to use our unique chemical templates for cannabinoid ligands to design and construct novel molecules. Our goal will be to generate both short-acting and long-acting compounds that we believe may be neutral antagonists. Our strategy will be to conduct side-by-side comparisons with the inverse agonist SR 141716A whenever possible. Compounds that meet biochemical criteria for neutral antagonism will be studied in rats to confirm their biological activity as antagonists of CB-1 induced catalepsy and to separate active compounds on the basis of the duration of their behavioral effects. Additionally, we will determine whether they serve as neutral antagonists of the effects of both CB-1 agonists and inverse agonists on operant behavior. Next, the most successful novel drugs will be assessed for their antagonism of the discriminative-stimulus and reinforcing effects of ZX9THC, which are preclinical indices of its abuse-related effects. In the latter studies, we also will determine the effectiveness with which these novel drugs forestall the re-initiation of drug-seeking behavior that can be elicited by free injections of delta9THC or contextually-associated stimuli. Finally, we will directly examine the effects of neutral antagonists in delta9THC-dependent subjects at differing time points following drug injection. These last studies, though experimentally arduous, will provide critical information regarding the appropriate use of CB-1 antagonists in the treatment of delta9THC-dependent people. Overall, our proposed studies will permit highly significant progress toward the development of novel antagonist-based medications to combat the addictive power of delta9THC.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DA019205-03
Application #
7113219
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZDA1-KXA-N (14))
Program Officer
Acri, Jane
Project Start
2004-09-30
Project End
2009-08-31
Budget Start
2006-09-01
Budget End
2007-08-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2006
Total Cost
$458,043
Indirect Cost
Name
Mc Lean Hospital (Belmont, MA)
Department
Type
DUNS #
046514535
City
Belmont
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02478
Schindler, Charles W; Redhi, Godfrey H; Vemuri, Kiran et al. (2016) Blockade of Nicotine and Cannabinoid Reinforcement and Relapse by a Cannabinoid CB1-Receptor Neutral Antagonist AM4113 and Inverse Agonist Rimonabant in Squirrel Monkeys. Neuropsychopharmacology 41:2283-93
Chopda, Girish R; Vemuri, V Kiran; Sharma, Rishi et al. (2013) Diuretic effects of cannabinoid agonists in mice. Eur J Pharmacol 721:64-9
Paronis, Carol A; Thakur, Ganesh A; Bajaj, Shama et al. (2013) Diuretic effects of cannabinoids. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 344:8-14
Bergman, Jack; Delatte, Marcus S; Paronis, Carol A et al. (2008) Some effects of CB1 antagonists with inverse agonist and neutral biochemical properties. Physiol Behav 93:666-70
Delatte, Marcus S; Paronis, Carol A (2008) Evaluation of cannabinoid agonists using punished responding and midazolam discrimination procedures in squirrel monkeys. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 198:521-8
Compton, Peggy; Ling, Walter; Moody, David et al. (2006) Pharmacokinetics, bioavailability and opioid effects of liquid versus tablet buprenorphine. Drug Alcohol Depend 82:25-31
York, Raymond G; Denny, Kevin H; Moody, David E et al. (2002) Developmental toxicity of levo-alpha-acetylmethadol (LAAM) in tolerant rats. Int J Toxicol 21:147-59
Walsh, S L; Haberny, K A; Bigelow, G E (2000) Modulation of intravenous cocaine effects by chronic oral cocaine in humans. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 150:361-73
Foltz, R L; Botelho, C; Reuschel, S A et al. (1997) Comparison of immunoassays for semiquantitative measurement of benzoylecgonine in urine. NIDA Res Monogr 175:287-302
Moody, D E; Alburges, M E; Parker, R J et al. (1997) The involvement of cytochrome P450 3A4 in the N-demethylation of L-alpha-acetylmethadol (LAAM), norLAAM, and methadone. Drug Metab Dispos 25:1347-53

Showing the most recent 10 out of 15 publications