New medicines aimed at the kappa opioid receptor
Novel Probes of the Kappa Opioid Receptor: Chemistry, Pharmacology, and Biology
Testing new kappa opioid receptor drugs to find ones that may help people with anxiety or severe itching without causing sedation or addiction.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tampa, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11446171 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project makes and tests new drugs that act on the kappa opioid receptor to find ones that can reduce anxiety, itching, and pain-related behaviors without causing sedation or dysphoria. Researchers compare how each compound signals inside cells—especially whether it favors G-protein pathways or β-arrestin—and match those signaling patterns to effects seen in mice. The work uses lab cell tests, mouse behavior studies, and builds on prior nonhuman primate results to identify the most promising compounds. If a compound looks promising in these preclinical tests, it could be advanced toward later safety testing and eventual human trials.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with anxiety disorders or chronic, treatment-resistant itch who are interested in future experimental medication trials would be ideal candidates for later phases of this work.
Not a fit: Patients needing immediate clinical treatment, those seeking traditional opioid pain relief, or people with conditions unrelated to anxiety or itch are unlikely to benefit from this preclinical research now.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to non-addictive treatments that relieve anxiety and chronic itch with fewer side effects like sedation or dysphoria.
How similar studies have performed: Related preclinical work, including the compound triazole 1.1, reduced itch and did not cause sedation in rodents and showed promise in primates, but human testing has not yet been reported.
Where this research is happening
Tampa, United States
- University of South Florida — Tampa, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bohn, Laura M. — University of South Florida
- Study coordinator: Bohn, Laura M.
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.