Our government trying to solve the smoking mystery

[rothenbj]

NIH grants $7.5 million for researchers to develop novel compounds in treating nicotine addiction

This consortium grant is a competitive renewal of a previous award to Markou, in collaboration with Novartis, when her laboratory was located at Scripps Research. Chemists at Novartis involved in the previous phase of the program discovered a number of small-molecule modulators of the GABAB receptor. Further study resulted in the development of the first highly selective positive modulators for GABAB receptors. Subsequently, work in the Markou laboratory showed that these compounds had desirable effects on nicotine dependence in animal models, while offering a better side-effect profile than other alternatives under study (full agonists at the same receptors).

emphasis mine

"This is not a typical individual investigator-driven science grant," Griffin said. "It's really a highly integrated and collaborative research program to discover innovative drug candidates. In this particular program to discover novel modulators of GABAB, the Scripps Florida team took on the translational role of a large pharmaceutical company. We are providing the framework and support to discover potent and functionally selective GABAB modulators that are efficacious in animal models of tobacco addiction. This project is very exciting and very energizing."

emphasis mine

So our government is extending a helping hand to help BP develop promising smoking cessation products. We're trying to generate around $70k to do an indoor air quality study, IVAQS, with donations and raffles from people that have found, first hand, products that work on PEOPLE rather than rats. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the CDC took that $7.5 to do the same for this "promising technology"?

 

[Vocalek]

I have a novel theory. Those "side effects" that they found from full agonist medications (i.e. Chantix) are actually the unintended consequence of the drug having worked to extinguish the beneficial effects of nicotine.

Nicotine is being studied as treatment for depression, anxiety, memory loss and other cognitive deficits.

 

[Chasm]

I have a novel theory. Those "side effects" that they found from full agonist medications (i.e. Chantix) are actually the unintended consequence of the drug having worked to extinguish the beneficial effects of nicotine.

I like it!

 

[CJsKee]

I don't believe there will be any success for "novel compounds" treating "nicotine addiction", mainly because I don't believe nicotine is addictive! Addicdtion Research Unit/University at Buffalo: 1994 Report to the FDA All they will wind up with is .... like chantix that makes people crazy. Nicotine being addictive is just another lie the antis have perpetrated -- especially that it is more addictive than ......!

 

[D103]

Once again this serves to further demonstrate how our society and in particular our 'leaders' have been "trained" to believe that there is a 'drug cure' for every human malady, illness, ache, pain or discomfort. This mirrors the outdated, biased and problematic mind-set of the field of psychiatry which views every human difficulty as something in need of a 'drug cure'. Over the past several decades this mindset has wormed its way into general medicine as well and indeed into the very fabric of our society. One of the true dangers in our society is 'The Most Powerful Drug Cartel' - not in Columbia, Asia or Mexico - our own Pharmaceutical Industry which wields far more power and influence over not only our public policies but our economy as well.
I don't feel that this particular study is a necessarily a 'bad idea' but look at the enormous amount of grant money extended to this research which, while currently sounding 'promising', could just as likely end up with much less than hoped for results. Compare that to how much money has been 'granted' towards research/study into the current technology of electronic cigarettes which have already shown considerable "anecdotal" success over the past seven years with NO reported cases of serious injury and/or illness. Almost all the studies done re: e-cigs have been biased, often pre-determined outcomes designed to scare, mislead and disinform the general public to further an idealogical agenda which has a gross track record of, in addition to being manipulative, dishonest and often unethical, being contrary to Public Health and glaringly complicit in the erosion of Public Trust.

 

[rothenbj]

A later study by Michael A. Bozarth which found, "Overall, this study suggests that even under chronic administration using escalating doses, nicotine's profile in this animal model is that of a substance with a low addiction liability."

ScienceDirect - Behavioural Brain Research : Effect of chronic nicotine on brain stimulation reward. II. An escalating dose regimen

Of course, I'm sure his research has been discredited by the TC crowd.

 

[kristin]

Even if it IS addictive, if it isn't causing any serious health risks - WHO CARES?