Anti-addiction therapies

VA researchers have identified potent inhibitors of receptor-type tyrosine-protein phosphatase delta (PTPRD), one of the most highly expressed, largely neuronal, receptor-type protein tyrosine phosphatases.

PTPRD binds to extracellular ligands and alters activities of the intracellular protein tyrosine phosphatase within them. The compounds VA researchers discovered inhibit PTPRD’s ability to dephosphorylate addiction-associated compounds. Effectively, these inhibiting compounds reduce the reward response associated with certain substances, including opioids, stimulants, nicotine, and obesity-related addictions.  

Ketamine analogs to fight depression

Clinical studies have shown ketamine to be an effective treatment for types of depression. It is incredibly fast-acting, taking effect within hours or even minutes compared to the medical standard of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Some patients also respond to ketamine’s antidepressant effects but not those of SSRIs.

Since ketamine treatment has no effect for 30% of patients, finding ketamine analogs that produce the same benefits without the side effects can improve treatment options for several types of depression and anxiety-related disorders.

Researchers at the VA and the University of Maryland-Baltimore have been evaluating the compound (2R,6R)-hydroxynorketamine (HNK), an analog of ketamine. They’ve already successfully synthesized salt forms of the compound and crystal forms of the corresponding salts. With scalable processes defined, the ketamine analog can be better analyzed for treatment safety and effectiveness.

Diagnosing, assessing, or quantitating drug use and abuse

The Manhattan campus of the VA NY Harbor Healthcare System has invented a technology that provides methods for diagnosing, assessing or quantitating drug use, drug abuse and narcosis, internuclear ophthalmoplegia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), chronic traumatic encephalopathy, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, and alcohol consumption. The technology tracks and analyzes eye movement, comparing it to normal or mean eye movement and optionally calculating a standard deviation.

Statins for treatment of hepatic encephalopathy

Researchers at the Central Texas Veterans Healthcare System have proposed using statins, or cholesterol-reducing agents, to treat hepatic encephalopathy (HE), a neuro-psychiatric complication of acute liver failure and chronic liver disease, often a result of heavy alcohol or drug abuse. These statins could have beneficial effects against the neurological complications caused by acute liver failure.

Every day, VA labs across the country make many exciting advancements in a vast range of healthcare issues, including substance abuse. TechLink helps businesses form collaborative partnerships with government labs as the official technology transfer partner for the VA and the U.S. Department of Defense. Browse available technologies that are ready for commercial licensing today, or reach out to TechLink to learn more.