Cocaine, also known as crack cocaine, is a highly addictive central nervous system stimulant drug made from the leaves of the coca plant native to South America. Cocaine can be used as a local numbing agent, but it is an illegal drug. Repeated cocaine use can lead to addiction because the drug has an effect on the reward pathway in the brain. With excessive or prolonged use, cocaine can disrupt how the brain‘s dopamine system works, decreasing an individual‘s ability to feel pleasure from normal, everyday activities. Cocaine is a simple molecule, and can only trigger immune response by binding to a complex molecule. The damaging effects of cocaine and its destructive influences can not be ignored. The drug destroys many people‘s lives and costs society billions of dollars. There are currently no FDA-approved therapies for cocaine addiction. Effective cocaine addiction treatments are in need. Now Dr Andrew Norman at the University of Cincinnati has found an immunotherapy that may help beat cocaine addition. The therapy has already been tested in animal models and the results are encouraging. Norman‘s have long sought to develop a human monoclonal antibody to target cocaine. When injected into the blood, the humanized monoclonal antibody binds to cocaine, preventing it from entering the brain and thereby limiting its effects. Experiments in animals demonstrate the efficacy of the antibody. More research is required before the antibody can be tested in humans. Dr Norman explained that the antibody inhibits cocaine‘s effects on the brain by blocks its ability to enter the brain. This may make it easier for an individual to avoid a relapse event. The antibody may not be a cure, but it will help battle addiction. Cusabio offers FITC conjugated antibody with high-quality at attractive price.
