New victims of current drug laws (original) (raw)
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Neuropharmacology and drug development
British Medical Bulletin, 2003
Positron emission tomography (PET) and allied non-invasive imaging techniques are being increasingly embraced by the pharmaceutical industry. These imaging modalities allow the assessment of novel drug action in man at a very early stage of the drug's discovery and development process; in turn, this enables earlier decision making about the developmental potential of novel and potential therapeutics. The in vivo characterisation of novel molecular targets and disease mechanisms in man is intimately connected with future developments in the diagnosis, management and treatment of human disease. The utility of non-invasive imaging modalities within the pharmaceutical industry is discussed with particular reference to the use of PET in drug discovery and development in the 21st century.
An Appraisal of the Drug Discovery Process in Neuroscience
The scientific study of the nervous system is a major area for disease and consequently disease management. The use of drugs to treat neurological disease is the backbone of this sphere of therapy. This review will concentrate of the history, process, constraints and novelty of drug discovery for these disorders. It will enhance understanding and contribute to an improved efficiency of the drug development process. The history of drug discovery in neuroscience follows the pattern of other discoveries in civilisation. Solutions obtained by steeping or soaking natural substances comprised the only source of medicines until data-based processes were developed to; remove impurities from, increase the concentration of, and separate active substances from these extracts. In most cases, the development of a new medicinal drug starts when scientists learn of a target that is involved in a natural process thought to be impaired in function for patients with sicknesses such as Alzheimer's disease. Better medicines that are improvements on current medications are further found to have greater value as they offer benefits over existing ones for disease treatment, prevention or alleviation in terms of potency, safety, tolerability, or convenience. Regulatory agencies are set up to ensure conformity to steps and standards for improved safety and efficacy. In accordance with this, neurological drugs have less success rates and take more time to acquire, than do other drug classes.
Editorial: Novel Psychoactive Drugs—The Saga Continues…
Frontiers in Neuroscience, 2021
Editorial on the Research Topic Novel Psychoactive Drugs-The Saga Continues.. . This Research Topic has been planned, organized, and edited as a follow-up of the first Frontiers Research Topic on Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS, https://www.frontiersin.org/researchtopics/5249/novel-psychoactive-drugs) that by the end of 2020 has collected almost 134,000 visits. This 2nd Research Topic collects 15 articles, namely 11 original articles (four animal and seven human studies) and four reviews, and covers the main classes of NPS, including "old" drugs with renewed interest, such as ayahuasca.
Innovations in clinical neuroscience
Once a molecule has been characterized as engaging an identified target at the appropriate location (affinity and potency), the next step involves designing experiments that will determine its pharmacodynamic activities both for efficacy (on target) and safety-tolerability (on/off target). Two expert presentations focused on looking back at completed programs and two concentrated on looking forward at ongoing programs. Specific discussions pertain to assessment of pharmacologic agonists (mGluR2/3, k-opiate, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma) and antagonists (orexin and cannabinoid) in disorders of cognition, mood, and anxiety. Advanced experimental study designs using genetics to guide a treatment trial in Alzheimer's disease and neural target-based approaches as the primary outcome measure in the National Institute of Mental Health-sponsored Fast-Fail Trials (FAST)-Mood and Anxiety Spectrum Disorders (MAS) initiative for depression showcases novel methodological ...
Global strategy for New Psychoactive Substances: an update
Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 2020
Purpose of review The aim of this review is to provide an update on recent trends of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) and the current global strategies implemented to manage them. Recent findings The number of NPS has increased from 166 in 2009 to 892 in 2018, with about 36% having stimulant effects. Such trend revels some unprecedented patterns. The decline in the emergence of new synthetic cannabinoids has coincided with rising deaths due to overdose of fentanyl and non-fentanyl compounds in North America and Europe. The detection of new stimulant NPS has stabilized since 2015. Although the level of seizures of mephedrone have risen since then, they are still below the levels reported before international control. The legal status of kratom still remains unclear, whereas calls for research on its benefits continue. The nonmedical use of tramadol in Africa and Middle East is a cause of growing concern. Summary Although the rise of NPS is a cause for concern, evidence suggests that the strategy to face the challenge should include updating international data collection systems, integrating scientific-based interventions for drug use, strengthening national monitoring, and increasing collaborative research and forensic capabilities. The legal, regulatory framework and clinical guidelines should remain dynamic, whereas enforcement agencies should measure success by destroying drug networks as seizures rarely dismantle drug markets.