|
 veggie
Registered: 07/25/04
Posts: 17,504
|
 Is this the meth magic bullet? 
#6608153 - 02/25/07 09:53 AM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
|
|
February 24, 2007 - thedailycitizen.com
Is this the meth magic bullet?
Medical researchers discover antibodies that offset effects of methamphetamine
If the medical breakthrough invented by a team of researchers is what it appears to be, society may finally have the weapon needed to win the war against meth.
Working with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, where he is an assistant chemistry professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. Howard Hendrickson has been a part of finding the latest modern medical miracle.
Hendrickson spoke to over 200 students and faculty Monday at Harding University in Searcy.
Administered as a transfusion, the liquid contains antibodies which block the effects of meth on the human brain. It has been the subject of research by the Center for Alcohol and Drug Abuse at UAMS, the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, and the Research Triangle Institute in North Carolina. The team is headed by Dr. Michael Owens.
Owens helped develop a mononucleal antibody 25 years ago for the drug PCP.
“Meth is an epidemic,” Hendrickson said. “Methamphetamine abuse is a disease, not just in the U.S. but all over the world.”
Chemicals used to make meth are produced in Canada, then shipped to Mexico where they are processed in huge laboratories, Hendrickson said. The meth is then smuggled into the U.S. and has devastated life in the heartland — from Memphis to the Canadian border and from the Appalachians to the Rocky Mountains.
The monoclonal antibodies have been examined for six years with funding by the National Institute of Drug Abuse through the National Science Foundation.
“We are currently evaluating four monoclonal antibodies,” Hendrickson said. “It is too early to say which one will be carried forward to human trials.”
The antibodies will function like a meth vaccine, blocking the drug’s effects in a user for a period of time. How long it will be effective is not yet known, but a half-life of eight days may indicate weekly treatments could be necessary.
Mass production and distribution of the antibodies are years away, as pharmaceutical companies research how to convert the current version, produced in mice and harmful to humans, to a usable form. When that expensive research is finished, the patent for the medicine will be owned by the drug company, a necessary evil according to some. Without the massive investments by the potential commercial vendors, the antibodies would probably never be available for anyone.
According to Dr. Skipper Eichhorn, professor of pharmacy and nursing teacher in the College of Sciences at Harding, the research is now in the hands of the Federal Drug Administration.
Potential uses for the antibodies include giving them to meth addicts so when they try to use meth again they will feel no effects as well as treating patients who have overdosed on meth. Children exposed to meth could benefit, too.
“This is something that is pertinent, given the prevalence of the meth problem here in White County,” Julie Hixson-Wallace, Dean of the College of Pharmacy at Harding, said.
|
 Jekyll_and_Hyde
Stranger
Registered: 02/23/07
Posts: 39
Last seen: 16 years, 11 months
|
Re: Is this the meth magic bullet? [Re: veggie]
#6608351 - 02/25/07 11:12 AM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
|
|
These ridiculous anti drug injections are becoming a dangerous trend, in the end im sure they will at least try to pass a law requiring all drug offenders to have the appropriate injection. I dont do meth nor would I ever, but im absolutely against the two things these injections stand for... which are taking away free will and replacing one drug with another. Neither method will ever work, substance use is here to stay.
--------------------
Of course I can take you places youve never been, and yes I can show you many things you've never seen. Here, drink this tea and well get to it..
|
wietstocker
product ofevolution
Registered: 07/14/03
Posts: 319
Loc: Cranium, PNW
Last seen: 10 years, 9 months
|
|
The worst thing about addictive drugs like meth is that they are ADDICTIVE. People who want to stop often can't combat their own body's physical craving.
That's where these would be useful. It's just a shame that they likely won't be affordable for a majority of users.
--------------------
Echoes
|
dickpayne00
Adult
Registered: 01/15/07
Posts: 284
Loc: Florida
Last seen: 4 years, 10 months
|
Re: Is this the meth magic bullet? [Re: wietstocker]
#6609236 - 02/25/07 04:18 PM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
|
|
meth is crack for white people. i saw that on a shirt. I'm an unoriginal bastard. i would like to apologize to Mitch Hedberg every chance i can get.
--------------------
The butcher with the sharpest knife has the warmest heart.
|
|
Threaded
Previous
Index
Next
Buy Kratom Capsules 
Golden Teacher Liquid Culture For Sale 
Kratom Powder for Sale 
Red Vein Kratom 
Injection Grain Bag
Edit 
Reply 
veggie
motaman