Support is requested for a conference in Seattle to be held July 10-13, 2011 on the """"""""Therapeutic Potential of Kappa Opioids"""""""" for the treatment of pain, addiction and mood disorders. Recent advances in molecular and behavioral pharmacology suggest that novel opioid analgesics selective for the kappa opioid receptor system may provide effective pain relief without having the addiction risk common to mu-selective opioid agonists. New insights from molecular signaling studies suggest strategies to develop kappa opioid agonists lacking the dysphoric effects of the currently available compounds. In addition, the role of the endogenous dynorphin/kappa opioid systems in mediating the dysphoric effects of stress that increase addiction risk and precipitate relapse of drug taking has also strongly stimulated interest in the therapeutic potential of selective kappa opioid antagonists. The proposed, inclusive conference would invite for the first time, all of the scientists working on kappa opioid drug development in academic and industrial laboratories to present their results and participate in the open discussions on key topics shaping this research area. Molecular, behavioral, and systems pharmacologists will meet with medicinal chemists and clinical scientists who are actively engaged in research on kappa opioid drugs. We expect that direct discussions of the advances in the field, the current controversies, and the challenges remaining will be extremely fruitful. The hope is that progress in basic research will result in translational advances ultimately providing new therapeutic options for the non-addictive treatment of pain and effective treatments that can reduce addiction risk by enhancing stress-resilience.
Effective treatments for pain and addiction are greatly needed to address these pervasive conditions, syndromes and diseases that are so common in our society. Novel approaches for the treatment of chronic pain states would benefit millions of suffers. The role of chronic stress in increasing the risk of mood disorders and addiction has been clearly documented, but effective treatments that increase stress-resilience and reduce risk of depression and addiction are not currently available. The proposed conference would focus research attention on these pressing Public Health issues.
