| CORP. FOCUS | Corticotropin Releasing Factor (CRF) first identified, purified and sequenced by Co.'s founder and his colleagues at the Salk Institute, functions as a neurotransmitter in the brain and plays a critical role in coordinating the body's overall responses to stress. This peptide, functions through two known receptor subtypes termed the CRF1 and CRF2 receptors. The CRF1 receptor subtype is believed to largely mediate the effects of stress. Co. has developed selective, potent, small molecule antagonists for the CRF1 receptor. In preclinical models, selective CRF1 receptor antagonists block stress responses, providing evidence that this novel mechanism may result in drugs with improved anti-anxiety and antidepressant efficacy. CRF1 antagonists have not shown any evidence of sexual dysfunction or addictive properties in preclinical models and some data suggest they may not only improve on the sexual dysfunction observed with current treatments but also have a more rapid onset of action compared to the currently marketed antidepressants. Furthermore, recent data indicate that CRF1 receptor antagonists may attenuate the withdrawal symptoms and the vulnerability to relapse during prolonged abstinence from drugs of abuse. SSRIs work by modulating the neurotransmitter serotonin, which helps regulate mood, and curbs aggressive and impulsive behavior. Preclinical data suggest that serotonin may be acting by influencing the levels of CRF and that the SSRIs may be therapeutic, in part, by acting to downregulate the CRF system. Consequently direct inhibition of CRF may result in a more direct and rapid onset of action. A CRF1 receptor antagonist has the potential to be a fast-acting alternative to existing therapies, which does not exhibit the untoward side effects of the existing anxiolytics and antidepressants, a real advantage in meeting the unmet medical needs of this large and growing patient population |
| COMPANY | This data is not available for free |
|
Want more information ? Interested in the hidden information ? Click here and do your request. |