Substance Use Disorders (SUD)
Substance use disorder (SUD) is a chronic disease of the brain that results in an individual being driven to seek and use drugs without regard for the negative consequences that may follow. Protheragen would like to offer the latest technologies in diagnosis and therapeutic development to solve the issue of SUD management. Our company offers a complete and reliable partnership in therapeutic research on SUD and we provide a range of high-quality services to address all your research needs.
Introduction to Substance Use Disorders (SUD)
Substance use disorder, also known as SUD, is a persistent and recurring illness of the brain that results in the uncontrolled pursuit and consumption of addictive substances even in the presence of serious health, social, and legal issues. It stems from a combination of genes, the surroundings, and the use of drugs that cause long-lasting changes to the brain's wiring, which modifies circuits that regulate reward, motivation, stress-response systems, and higher cognitive functions.
Fig.1 Etiologies of substance use disorders (SUD). (Dubey M J, et al., 2020)
Pathogenesis of Substance Use Disorders (SUD)
The underlying mechanisms of substance use disorder (SUD) stems from the takeover of the brain's mesolimbic reward pathway. This occurs as drugs are used continuously, leading to the release of dopamine beyond physiological limits, thereby reinforcing the compulsive drug-seeking behavior. Genetic predisposition, specifically in metabolism and neural circuitry, accounts to 40-60% of the vulnerability, while social stressors like trauma or early life experiences are thought to enable neuroplastic changes which lower the control of the prefrontal cortical areas, resulting in heightened stress, reward signaling, and ultimately addiction.
Fig.2 The neurobiologic etiology of comorbid PTSD and substance use disorders. (Hinckley J D, Danielson C K., 2022)
Therapeutic Development for Substance Use Disorders (SUD)
| Drug Name | Mechanism of Action | Targets | Research Phase |
| Methadone | Full agonist substitution therapy. Binds to and activates opioid receptors, preventing withdrawal symptoms and blocking the euphoric effects of other opioids. | μ-opioid receptor (MOR) | Approved |
| Naltrexone | Competitive antagonist. Blocks opioid receptors, preventing the rewarding and intoxicating effects of opioid and alcohol consumption. | μ-opioid receptor (MOR), κ-opioid receptor (KOR) | Approved |
| CVL-936 | Negative allosteric modulator (NAM). Reduces dopamine signaling by modulating the activity of the D3 receptor, which is implicated in reward and motivation pathways. | Dopamine D3 receptor | Phase I |
Disclaimer: Protheragen focuses on providing preclinical research services. This table is for information exchange purposes only. This table is not a treatment plan recommendation. For guidance on treatment options, please visit a regular hospital.
Our Services
Recognizing the complexity of diagnosing and treating substance use disorder (SUD), Protheragen is committed to building a team of experts to provide cutting-edge and therapeutic development solutions. Our commitment lies in providing a variety of customized therapy development services to meet the diverse research needs of our customers. We also excel in generating precise disease models that are carefully engineered to replicate the unique features of SUD.
Therapeutic Development Services
By Mechanism of Action
Disease Model Development Services
In Vitro Model Development
- Multi-Drug Memory Assessment Model
- Behavioral Sensitization Model
- Self-Administration Model
- Ketamine Dependence Model
- Oxytocin-Progesterone Interaction Model
- Other Models
At Protheragen, we offer comprehensive pharmacodynamic (PD), pharmacokinetic (PK), and toxicology research services to support the development and regulatory approval of potential therapies for substance use disorder (SUD). If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us for more details and quotation information of related services.
References
- Dubey M J, Ghosh R, Chatterjee S, et al. COVID-19 and addiction[J]. Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research & Reviews, 2020, 14(5): 817-823.
- Hinckley J D, Danielson C K. Elucidating the neurobiologic etiology of comorbid PTSD and substance use disorders[J]. Brain Sciences, 2022, 12(9): 1166.