Creating new medications to counteract the harmful effects of fentanyl.
Development of Specific Mu Opioid Receptor Antagonists to Reverse the Acute and Chronic Toxicity of Fentanyls
This study is working on creating a new medication that can help reverse the harmful effects of fentanyl and similar opioids, aiming to provide better treatment options for people who overdose on these powerful drugs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Commonwealth University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10476705 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing specific antagonists for the mu opioid receptor that can effectively reverse the acute and chronic toxic effects of fentanyl and its analogs. By utilizing advanced computational chemistry and biochemistry techniques, the team aims to create a novel medication that can provide a more effective treatment option than current antidotes like naloxone. The goal is to improve patient outcomes in cases of opioid overdose, particularly for those affected by the potent synthetic opioids known as fentanyls.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include adults who are at risk of opioid overdose, particularly those using fentanyl or its analogs.
Not a fit: Patients who do not use opioids or are not at risk of opioid overdose may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a more effective treatment for fentanyl overdoses, potentially saving lives and improving recovery outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in developing new opioid antagonists, but this specific approach is novel and untested.
Where this research is happening
Richmond, United States
- Virginia Commonwealth University — Richmond, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Yan — Virginia Commonwealth University
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Yan
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.