Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions for treating alcohol dependence by administration to a patient of an inhibitor of 11?-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (11?-HSD) to modulate glucocorticoid effects. One such compound is the 11?-HSD inhibitor carbenoxolone (18?-glycyrrhetinic acid 3?-O-hemisuccinate), which has been extensively employed in the clinic for the treatment of gastritis and peptic ulcer. Carbenoxolone is active on both 11?-HSD1 and 2 isoforms. Here, carbenoxolone is surprisingly shown to reduce both baseline and excessive drinking in rats and mice. The carbenoxolone diastereomer 18?-glycyrrhetinic acid 3?-O-hemisuccinate (?CBX), which the applicants discovered to be selective for 11?-HSD2, was also effective in reducing alcohol drinking in mice. Thus, 11?-HSD inhibitors are a new class of candidate alcohol abuse medications and existing 11?-HSD inhibitor drugs may be re-purposed for alcohol abuse treatment.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions for treating alcohol dependence by administration to a patient of an inhibitor of 11?-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (11?-HSD) to modulate glucocorticoid effects. One such compound is the 11?-HSD inhibitor carbenoxolone (18?-glycyrrhetinic acid 3?-O-hemisuccinate), which has been extensively employed in the clinic for the treatment of gastritis and peptic ulcer. Carbenoxolone is active on both 11?-HSD1 and 2 isoforms. Here, carbenoxolone is surprisingly shown to reduce both baseline and excessive drinking in rats and mice. The carbenoxolone diastereomer 18?-glycyrrhetinic acid 3?-O-hemisuccinate (?CBX), which the applicants discovered to be selective for 11?-HSD2, was also effective in reducing alcohol drinking in mice. Thus, 11?-HSD inhibitors are a new class of candidate alcohol abuse medications and existing 11?-HSD inhibitor drugs may be re-purposed for alcohol abuse treatment.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of preventing or treating drug addiction, or ameliorating the craving for an addictive drug, as well as compounds, peptides, and pharmaceutical compositions that may be used to prevent or treat drug addiction or ameliorate the craving for an addictive drug. The invention also provides methods for identifying agents that may be used to prevent or treat drug addiction, or ameliorate the craving for an addictive drug.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods for generating antibodies to human metapneumovirus (HMPV) polypeptides, including antibodies that immunospecifically bind to a HMPV F-protein. The invention also discloses methods for preventing, treating, or ameliorating symptoms associated with HMPV infection.

Abstract: The present invention describes human monoclonal antibodies which immunoreact with Herpes simplex virus Type-1 and Type-2. Also disclosed are immunotherapeutic and diagnostic methods of using the monoclonal antibodies, as well as nucleic acids and cell lines for producing the monoclonal antibodies.