Latest Kappa Opioid receptor Stories

Researchers studying mice are getting closer to understanding how stress affects mood and motivation for drugs.According to the researchers, blocking the stress cascade in brain cells may help reduce the effects of stress, which can include anxiety, depression and the pursuit of addictive drugs.A research team from St. Louis and Seattle reports in the Aug. 11 issue of the journal Neuron that in mice exposed to stress, a protein called p38α mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) influences...

Stressful experiences increase addictive drug consumption and can precipitate bouts of anxiety or depression in vulnerable people. Although the mechanisms linking stress and human behaviors are not well understood, animal models of some aspects of these behaviors have been developed and have been used to define some of the molecular events that may be responsible for stress vulnerability in people. The goal of these studies is to identify potential new therapeutics that may enhance stress...

SHELTON, Conn., March 30, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Cara Therapeutics, Inc. today announced the appointment of James B. Jones, M.D., Pharm.D., to the position of Chief Medical Officer. In this role, Dr. Jones will oversee the ongoing clinical development of Cara's lead drug candidate, CR845, a novel, peripherally-restricted kappa opioid agonist, which is currently in Phase 2 development for treatment of post-operative pain. "We are delighted to add someone of Jim's clinical background and drug...

STAMFORD, Conn., July 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Purdue Pharma L.P. announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Butrans(TM) (buprenorphine) Transdermal System CIII for the management of moderate to severe chronic pain in patients requiring a continuous, around-the-clock opioid analgesic for an extended period of time. Butrans Transdermal System is an analgesic product that delivers continuous release of medication for seven days. "Healthcare professionals now have an...

A genetic variant of a receptor in the brain's reward circuitry plays an important role in determining whether the neurotransmitter dopamine is released in the brain following alcohol intake, according to a study led by researchers at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), part of the National Institutes of Health. Dopamine is involved in transmitting the euphoria and other positive subjective effects produced by alcohol.A report of the findings, which help explain...

Effect is on pathways that regulate serotonin and can lead to low moodStress-evoked changes in circuits that regulate serotonin in certain parts of the brain can precipitate a low mood and a relapse in cocaine-seeking, based on mouse studies published online this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences."The impetus for this research was our interest in how stress alters the brain's cell receptors and protein signals in ways that lead to mood changes, depression,...

Cara Therapeutics has completed Phase I clinical trial for its second-generation, peripherally acting kappa opioid agonist, CR845, under development for the treatment of acute and chronic pain. The Phase Ia single-center clinical trial evaluated the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetic profile, and pharmacological activity of CR845 in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, single escalating intravenous dose study in 54 healthy male and female volunteers. CR845 was shown to be safe...

SHELTON, Conn., Aug. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Cara Therapeutics, Inc. today announced completion of a Phase I clinical trial for its second-generation, peripherally acting kappa opioid agonist, CR845, under development for the treatment of acute and chronic pain. The drug candidate was safe and well-tolerated after intravenous infusion, and resulted in plasma levels of CR845 expected to be associated with clinical analgesic activity. In addition, CR845 infusion triggered a quantitative endocrine...

SHELTON, Conn., July 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Cara Therapeutics, Inc. announced today that it had closed on $12.3 million of additional funding to its original $24 million Series C financing which was completed in 2007. The round was led by new investor, Devon Park Bioventures, and included participation by Connecticut Innovations. Previous investors participating in the round included; Ascent Biomedical Ventures, Mitsubishi International Corporation and Wistar Morris. In conjunction with the...

SHELTON, Conn., July 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Cara Therapeutics, Inc. announced today that The United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued U.S. Patent No. 7,402,564 entitled "Synthetic Peptide Amides" under its Accelerated Examination Program. The application was filed on November 12, 2007 and covers Cara's second generation, peripherally-selective kappa opioid receptor agonist compounds. These compounds include CR845, currently completing a Phase I clinical trial and in development for...