Alcohol Dependence News and Research

RSS

FDA grants priority review for Alkermes' VIVITROL sNDA for opioid dependence

Alkermes, Inc. today announced that the supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for VIVITROL® (naltrexone for extended-release injectable suspension) for opioid dependence has been designated a priority review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

25 May 2010

Majority of patients experience depression following hospitalization for TBI: Study

During the year following hospitalization for a traumatic brain injury, a majority of patients experienced major depression, according to a study in the May 19 issue of JAMA, a theme issue on mental health.

19 May 2010

Study shows direct cellular interaction between endocannabinoids and alcohol in the brain

In findings that should finally put to rest a decade of controversy in the field of neurobiology, a team at The Scripps Research Institute has found decisive evidence that a specific neurotransmitter system-the endocannabinoid system-is active in a brain region known to play a key role in the processing of memory, emotional reactions, and addiction formation. The new study also shows that this system can dampen the effects of alcohol, suggesting an avenue for the development of drugs to combat alcohol addiction.

13 May 2010

Cognitive behavior therapy works better as couples therapy for alcohol-dependent women

Barbara McCrady and Elizabeth Epstein wanted to know whether cognitive behavior therapy worked better for alcohol-dependent women when delivered as couples therapy than when delivered as individual therapy. They reported recently that both treatment methods worked well, but women treated in couples therapy maintained their gains a bit better than those in individual therapy. Also, women suffering from depression in addition to alcohol-dependence did better in couples therapy. Their paper appeared recently in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology.

22 Apr 2010

Alkermes submits VIVITROL sNDA for opioid dependence

Alkermes, Inc. today announced that it has submitted a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for VIVITROL® (naltrexone for extended-release injectable suspension) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for approval as a treatment for opioid dependence. The company requested a priority review for its sNDA and if granted by the FDA, it would mean a six month review timeline.

13 Apr 2010

Alkermes initiates multidose Phase 1 clinical study of ALKS 37 for OIC

Alkermes, Inc. today announced the initiation of a multidose phase 1 clinical study of ALKS 37, an orally active, peripherally-restricted opioid antagonist with potential to block the effects of opioid agonists on gastrointestinal motility, commonly referred to as opioid-induced constipation (OIC). The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, repeat-dose study will assess the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of daily oral administration of two dose levels of ALKS 37 for a seven day period in approximately 24 healthy volunteers.

17 Mar 2010

Long-term tobacco dependence may affect memory and thinking in women

Men and women with a history of alcohol abuse may not see long-term negative effects on their memory and thinking, but female smokers do, a new study suggests.

16 Mar 2010

Embera NeuroTherapeutics establishes clinical development partnership for its cocaine dependence program

Embera NeuroTherapeutics, Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical company developing novel treatments for drug dependence, smoking cessation and obesity, announced today that the company has retained Exponential Pharma Ventures LLC to assist in establishing a clinical development partnership for its cocaine dependence program with a fully integrated pharmaceutical company.

17 Feb 2010

Positive topline data from Alkermes' phase 1 clinical study of ALKS 37 announced

Alkermes, Inc. today announced positive topline data from a phase 1 clinical study of ALKS 37, an orally active, peripherally-restricted opioid antagonist with potential to block the effects of opioid agonists on gastrointestinal motility, commonly referred to as opioid-induced constipation (OIC).

16 Feb 2010

Children with depressive symptoms may have greater affinity for sweets, says study

New research from the Monell Center reports that children's response to intense sweet taste is related to both a family history of alcoholism and the child's own self-reports of depression.

10 Feb 2010

Alkermes develops proprietary LinkeRx technology platform to create injectable antipsychotics

Alkermes, Inc. today announced that it has developed a novel, proprietary LinkeRx™ technology platform to enable the creation of injectable extended-release versions of antipsychotics and other central nervous system (CNS) therapies.

4 Feb 2010

Gene variants protect sexually-abused victims from alcohol dependence, says study

Exposure to severe stress early in life increases the risk of alcohol and drug addiction. Yet surprisingly, some adults sexually abused as children - and therefore at high risk for alcohol problems - carry gene variants that protect them from heavy drinking and its effects, according to researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

3 Feb 2010

Blocking CRF may prevent excessive alcohol consumption

A team of scientists from The Scripps Research Institute has found that a specific stress hormone, the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), is key to the development and maintenance of alcohol dependence in animal models.

28 Jan 2010

Alkermes licenses Medifusion technology to develop TNF receptor-Fc fusion protein

Alkermes, Inc. and Acceleron Pharma, Inc. today announced that Alkermes has licensed a proprietary long-acting Fc fusion technology platform, called the Medifusion™ technology, which is designed to extend the circulating half-life of proteins and peptides.

4 Dec 2009

Older adults with alcohol dependence problems drink more than younger counterparts

Older adults who have alcohol dependence problems drink significantly more than do younger adults who have similar problems, a new study has found.

21 Nov 2009

Alkermes commences phase 2 study of ALKS 33 in patients with alcohol dependence

Alkermes, Inc. today announced the initiation of a phase 2 clinical study of ALKS 33, an investigational oral opioid modulator for the potential treatment of alcohol dependence and other central nervous system disorders. The study will assess the safety and efficacy of multiple doses of ALKS 33 in patients with alcohol dependence and is designed to further define the clinical profile of ALKS 33.

17 Nov 2009

Global Alliance for Chronic Disease to fight against chronic non-communicable diseases

An alliance of institutions collectively managing an estimated 80 percent of all public health research funding worldwide today announced their first targets for concerted action in the fight against "chronic non-communicable diseases" (CNCDs).

17 Nov 2009

Alkermes' phase 3 trial of naltrexone XR-NTX meets primary endpoint

Alkermes, Inc. today announced positive preliminary results from a phase 3 clinical trial of naltrexone for extended-release injectable suspension (XR-NTX) for the treatment of opioid dependence. The six-month phase 3 study met its primary efficacy endpoint and data showed that patients treated once-monthly with XR-NTX demonstrated statistically significant higher rates of clean (opioid-free) urine screens, compared to patients treated with placebo, as measured by the cumulative distribution of clean urine screens (p<0.0002).

16 Nov 2009

Aeterna Zentaris reports consolidated revenues of $8.6 million for third quarter 2009

AEterna Zentaris Inc., a global biopharmaceutical company focused on endocrinology and oncology, today reported financial and operating results as at and for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2009.

11 Nov 2009

Grant awarded for research into a new treatment for methamphetamine addiction

Dr. Keith Flower - a research physician at the Addiction Pharmacology & Research Laboratory in San Francisco, CA - has been awarded a grant to investigate a new medication treatment for methamphetamine addiction. This grant has been awarded to California Pacific Medical Center's Research Institute through President Obama's AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT OF 2009.

6 Nov 2009