Exploring μ-Opioid Receptor Splice Variants as a Specific Molecular Target for New Analgesics

Since a μ-opioid receptor gene containing multiple exons has been identified, the variety of splice variants for μ-opioid receptors have been reported in various species. Amidino-TAPA and IBNtxA have been discovered as new analgesics with different pharmacological profiles from morphine. These new analgesics show a very potent analgesic effect but do not have dependence liability. Interestingly, these analgesics show the selectivity to the morphine-insensitive μ-opioid receptor splice variants. The splice variants, sensitive to these new analgesics but insensitive to morphine, may be a better molecular target to develop the analgesics without side effects.

Developing a new national MDMA policy: Results of a multi-decision multi-criterion decision analysis (MD-MCDA)

Background: MDMA (ecstasy, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) has a relatively low harm and low dependence liability but is scheduled on List I of the Dutch Opium Act together (“hard drugs”). Concerns surrounding increasing MDMA-related criminality coupled with the possibly inappropriate scheduling of MDMA initiated a debate to revise the current Dutch ecstasy policy.Methods: An interdisciplinary group of eighteen experts on health, social harms, and drug criminality and law enforcement reformulated science-based the Dutch MDMA policy using multi-decision multi-criterion decision analysis (MD-MCDA). The experts collectively formulated policy instruments and rated their effects on 25 outcome criteria, including health, criminality, law enforcement and financial issues, thematically grouped in six clusters.Results: [WILL BE ADDED ON 2020-11-13]Conclusion: [WILL BE ADDED ON 2020-11-13]

Mephentermine abuse of prescription drugs in gym

A case report of 32 years old male presented to the drug addiction OPD and treatment center for the withdrawal symptoms of mephentermine. Mephentermine a synthetic derivative of amphetamines with cardiac stimulatory action is been misused for boast of endurance in bodybuilders. Abuse of mephentermine result in psychosis, cardiovascular disorder and development of tolerance and dependence over time. Given its potential of causing harm, the abuse and dependence liability of mephentermine needs to be highlighted to gym instructors and general public.