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Study findings on clinical trial research are outlined in reports from Peking University
2009 AUG 3 - (NewsRx.com) -- "Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a neurotoxin found in Puffer fish and other marine animals. New clinical studies Suggest that low-dose TTX can safely relieve severe, treatment-resistant cancer pain," researchers in Beijing, People's Republic of China report. "The therapeutic potential of TTX in addiction is supported by studies in laboratory animals. The purpose of this double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to assess the effect of a single intramuscular dose of TTX on cue-induced craving and anxiety in abstinent heroin addicts. Forty-five abstinent heroin addicts were randomly assigned to three treatment groups: placebo, 5 mu g TTX, or 10 mu g TTX. were exposed to a neutral video or a heroin-related video. Craving. anxiety, blood pressure, and heart rate were measured pre- and post-exposure. Heroin-related cues increased both craving and anxiety and had no effect on blood pressure and heart rate. A single dose of TTX dose-dependently attenuated the increases in craving and anxiety while having no effect on blood pressure or heart rate," wrote J. Shi and colleagues, Peking University. The researchers concluded: "The results suggest that low-dose TTX is acutely effective in reducing cue-induced increases in heroin craving and associated anxiety." Shi and colleagues published their study in Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior (Tetrodotoxin reduces cue-induced drug craving and anxiety in abstinent heroin addicts. Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, 2009;92(4):603-607). For additional information, contact L. Lu, Peking University, National Institute Drug Dependence, 38 Xue Yuan Rd., Beijing 100083, People's Republic of China. Publisher contact information for the journal Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior is: Pergamon-Elsevier Science Ltd., the Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1GB, England. Keywords: People's Republic of China, Beijing, Addiction Medicine, Behavior, Biochemistry, Cancer, Clinical Trial Research, Drugs, Heroin Dependence, Laboratory Animals, Mental Health, Oncology, Pharmaceuticals, Pharmacology, Therapies, Therapy, Treatment, Peking University. This article was prepared by Biotech Business Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Biotech Business Week via NewsRx.com.
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