The endocannabinoid system is involved in pain perception, cognition and mood regulation among other functions. The dysregulation in synthesis and degradation of endocannabinoids results in anxiety, depression or degenerative diseases.
Sensorium Therapeutics Inc. has synthesized mesembrine derivatives acting as serotonin transporter (SERT) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of anxiety, depression and stress disorders.
The first patenting from Neuro-Joy Ltd. details development of a device that electrically stimulates facial nerves and muscles in order to emulate a facial expression configured to ameliorate a mood disorder and improve symptoms of depression, anxiety and sleep disorders.
It has been previously demonstrated that intranasal treatment with COG-201, an AAV9-shRNA designed to target the down-regulation of the 5-HT2A receptor, significantly decreased anxiety and improved memory in mice and rats.
Silo Pharma Inc. has completed a pre-IND meeting with the FDA regarding the company’s development plan for SPC-15, an intranasal prophylactic treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and stress-induced anxiety disorder.
The hypothalamus controls several neural circuits that have to do with instinctive behaviors such as food seeking, socialization and offspring maternal care, among others. There is limited knowledge regarding the mechanisms by which internal and external sensory cues are integrated to coordinate innate behavior.
Entheogenix Biosciences Inc. has described 5-HT2A receptor agonists reported to be useful for the treatment of post-traumatic stress, depression and anxiety disorders.
Sensorium Therapeutics Inc. has identified alkylated derivatives of mesembrine or mesembrenone acting as serotonin transporter (SERT) and/or phosphodiesterase PDE4 inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of anxiety, depression and stress disorders.
Tetra Pharm Technologies ApS and Kvanctify ApS have entered into a strategic partnership to accelerate the identification and development of novel drug candidates targeting the endocannabinoid system.
Finding an effective medication for patients with major depressive disorder is notoriously difficult, with 70% of patients failing to respond to the first drug prescribed and 30% not responding to the first four medications. Complicating matters, genetic mutations can increase psychotropic drug-related adverse events, including hospitalizations. A recent study indicates Myriad Genetics Inc.’s Genesight test can help minimize the risk of these negative events, with a reduction of nearly 40% in psychiatric-related hospitalizations and prescription of medications with significant gene-drug interactions.
