Drugs that boost the brain’s natural cannabinoid signals to reduce anxiety
Development of sterol carrier protein 2 inhibitors as anxiolytics
A new treatment approach aiming to boost the brain's natural cannabinoid signals to help adults with anxiety.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical College of Wisconsin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milwaukee, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11323121 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project is developing small drugs that block a brain protein (SCP-2) that soaks up the brain's natural calming cannabinoid molecules, letting those signals work better. In mice, removing or blocking SCP-2 reduced anxiety-like behavior and helped erase conditioned fear, effects tied to cannabinoid receptor activity. The team will use medicinal chemistry, lab-based binding and signaling tests, and animal studies to optimize these inhibitors and check safety and brain effects. If successful, the work could move toward early human testing at the Medical College of Wisconsin.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults aged 21 and over with anxiety disorders, especially those who have had inadequate relief or troublesome side effects from current treatments.
Not a fit: People under 21, individuals without an anxiety disorder, or those whose anxiety is already well controlled on current medications are unlikely to benefit directly from this early-stage research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to a new class of anti-anxiety medicines that work differently and may cause fewer cognitive or dependence-related side effects than direct cannabinoid drugs.
How similar studies have performed: Animal studies support the concept—SCP-2 loss reduces anxiety-like behavior in mice—but this specific inhibitor approach is novel and has not yet been tested in people.
Where this research is happening
Milwaukee, United States
- Medical College of Wisconsin — Milwaukee, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hillard, Cecilia J — Medical College of Wisconsin
- Study coordinator: Hillard, Cecilia J
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.