For years opioids have been the standard for treating pain, but their continued use has resulted in a growing addiction crisis. However, at Temple University’s Center for Substance Abuse Research, Director Anjali Rajadhyaksha and her team are working on a potential solution. Their research focuses on targeting a specific brain protein to reduce the addictive effects of opioids.
“What we’re trying to do – and what we have discovered – is that a brain molecule, or a protein in the brain, can be targeted to make opioids less addictive,” said Dr. Rajadhyaksha.
Rather than eliminating opioids entirely, this new treatment would work alongside them, creating a safer prescription that minimizes the risk of addiction.
“Doctors will still be able to prescribe an opioid plus our newly identified treatment,” Dr. Rajadhyaksha explained.
If research at Temple’s Lewis Katz School of Medicine proves successful, this new medication could lead to a significant shift in pain management by offering a safer alternative for patients who heavily rely on opioid medications. By reducing the likelihood of addiction, the treatment could play a key role in combating the ongoing addiction crisis down the road.
While explaining the process behind her team’s research, Dr. Rajadhyaksha also emphasized that collaborative efforts across Temple University have been essential in making everything possible in the first place.
“I can’t say enough about how important collaborations are – and across Temple. Collaborations with colleagues are really necessary for science and have been a core part of my lab’s research,” she said.
While their research is still in development, Dr. Rajadhyaksha and her fellow researchers remain hopeful that their work will pave the way for a future where non-addictive pain relief can become the new medical standard.
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