New treatment for stimulant use disorders
PTPRD phosphatase inhibitors for stimulant use disorders
This study is testing a new drug called pentilludin to see if it can help people who are struggling with addiction to stimulants like cocaine and amphetamines by making those drugs less rewarding, and it's currently being tested in animals to find out how well it works.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10915221 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates a novel drug called pentilludin, which targets a specific enzyme to help reduce the rewarding effects of stimulants like cocaine and amphetamines. By inhibiting the PTPRD phosphatase, the study aims to develop a new pharmacotherapy for stimulant use disorders, which currently lack FDA-approved treatments. The approach involves preclinical testing in animal models to assess the drug's effectiveness in reducing stimulant self-administration and conditioned preferences. If successful, this could lead to a new option for individuals struggling with stimulant addiction.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with stimulant use disorders, including those with a history of cocaine or amphetamine use.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have stimulant use disorders or those who are not currently using stimulants may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new FDA-approved treatment option for individuals with stimulant use disorders.
How similar studies have performed: While stimulant use disorders are a significant challenge, this specific approach targeting PTPRD is novel and has not been extensively tested in clinical settings.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- University of Maryland Baltimore — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Uhl, George Richard — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Uhl, George Richard
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.