Abstract: A method for predicting a subject's risk factors for dopamine transporter or SLC6A3-related disorders. The method includes detecting the allelic status of one or more polymorphisms in a nucleic acid sample of the subject. The present invention also provides a related kit, comprising an assay for detecting the allelic status of one or more polymorphisms in a nucleic acid sample of a subject.

Abstract: A method for predicting a subject's risk factors for CYP2C9-related disorders includes detecting the allelic status of one or more polymorphisms in a nucleic acid sample of the subject.

Abstract: Diagnostic and prognostic methods, compositions, assays, and kits useful for predicting the phenotype of subjects who have, or are at risk of developing, a mental disorder. The methods also include predicting the prognostic outcome of a subject's mental disorder as well as the subject's responsiveness to drug treatments for the mental disorder. The methods and kits include determining the allelic status of polymorphisms in the MAOA, TPH2 and DRD2 genes.

Abstract: A non-addictive analgesic co-formulation comprising an opioid agonist in an amount sufficient to confer analgesia in a mammalian subject and a neutral opioid antagonist in an amount sufficient to inhibit peripheral effects, and insufficient to block substantial central effects, of the opioid agonist in the subject. Such formulations, and methods of using same, may also deter diversion, inhibit peripheral effects, and reduce addiction liability.

Abstract: Bone metabolic disorders are treated by administering to an individual a therapeutically effective amount of a peripheral opioid antagonist at one or more of the opioid receptors, including the various naloxone and naltrexone analogs or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: The clinical outcome of disseminated melanoma is grim. Small molecular weight antagonists (preferably about seven amino acid residues) specific for MCR on melanoma cells are provided for the therapy of melanoma as well as in other conditions where modulation of MCR is of clinical significance. A particularly preferred antagonist is p-anisoyl-[D-Arg6,9, D-Lys11, D-Leu12] dynorphin A(6-12)-NH2, which is an excellent antagonist of the MCR-1 receptor.

Abstract: Gene expression analysis systems are provided for identifying the chemosensitivity gene profile of a cancer cell, the analysis systems comprising a plurality of polynucleotide probes, wherein each of said polynucleotide probes comprises a polynucleotide sequence that is complementary to a target region of a gene that encodes a protein associated with transport of molecules into and out of cells and that is a marker for the sensitivity or resistance of cancer cells to cytotoxic agents.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of naltrexone and naloxone analogs, which are neutral antagonists at the &mgr; opioid receptor, for the treatment of drug dependency in a drug-dependent individual. Surprisingly, it has been found that administration of a therapeutically effect amount of the naloxone or naltrexone analogs described herein for the treatment of a drug dependency, can result in reduction of undesirable side effects resulting from current treatments using naloxone and naltrexone. For example, the treatment described herein can result in a reduction in the withdrawal symptoms and aversion encountered in the use of naloxone and naltrexone in the treatment of drug dependency. In addition, the naltrexone and naloxone analogs of the invention can be used for the treatment of pain in an individual in need thereof by modulating opoid pain treatment using neutral antagonists, for example, reversing respiratory depression withough causing other adverse effects.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of naltrexone and naloxone analogs, which are neutral antagonists at the &mgr; opioid receptor, for the treatment of drug dependency in a drug-dependent individual. Surprisingly, it has been found that administration of a therapeutically effect amount of the naloxone or naltrexone analogs described herein for the treatment of a drug dependency, can result in reduction of undesirable side effects resulting from current treatments using naloxone and naltrexone. For example, the treatment described herein can result in a reduction in the withdrawal symptoms and aversion encountered in the use of naloxone and naltrexone in the treatment of drug dependency. In addition, the naltrexone and naloxone analogs of the invention can be used for the treatment of pain in an individual in need thereof by modulating opoid pain treatment using neutral antagonists, for example, reversing respiratory depression withough causing other adverse effects.

Abstract: The clinical outcome of disseminated melanoma is grim. Small molecular weight antagonists (preferably about seven amino acid residues) specific for MCR on melanoma cells are provided for the therapy of melanoma as well as in other conditions where modulation of MCR is of clinical significance. A particularly preferred antagonist is p-anisoyl-[D-Arg6,9, D-Lys11, D-Leu12] dynorphin A(6-12)-NH2, which is an excellent antagonist of the MCR-1 receptor.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of naltrexone and naloxone analogs, which are neutral antagonists at the &mgr; opioid receptor, for the treatment of drug dependency in a drug-dependent individual. Surprisingly, it has been found that administration of a therapeutically effect amount of the naloxone or naltrexone analogs described herein for the treatment of a drug dependency, can result in reduction of undesirable side effects resulting from current treatments using naloxone and naltrexone. For example, the treatment described herein can result in a reduction in the withdrawal symptoms and aversion encountered in the use of naloxone and naltrexone in the treatment of drug dependency. In addition, the naltrexone and naloxone analogs of the invention can be used for the treatment of pain in an individual in need thereof by modulating opoid pain treatment using neutral antagonists, for example, reversing respiratory depression withough causing other adverse effects.

Abstract: A method for screening G protein coupled receptors is provided in which G protein coupled receptors that are constitutively active are determined, such as by measuring receptor phosphorylation agonist independent signaling. When a G protein coupled receptor is found to be regulated by constitutive activity, then assay systems may be set up to classify test compounds as agonists, neutral antagonists, or negative antagonists with respect to G protein coupled receptor signaling and phosphorylation. Such determinations and screening are useful for selecting new pharmaceuticals potentially useful in treating disease states mediated by & protein coupled receptors, with applications including treatments in conjunction with narcotic analgesia.

Abstract: The clinical outcome of disseminated melanoma is grim. Small molecular weight antagonists (preferably about seven amino acid residues) specific for MCR on melanoma cells are provided for the therapy of melanoma as well as in other conditions where modulation of MCR is of clinical significance. A particularly preferred antagonist is p-anisoyl-[D-Arg6,9, D-Lys11, D-Leu12] dynorphin A(6-12)-NH2, which is an excellent antagonist of the MCR-1 receptor.

Abstract: The present invention provides assays to measure the regulation of the narcotic analgesic addictive state. Practice of the invention permits classification of test compounds for their effects on an activated opioid .mu. receptor state. When opioid .mu. receptor cells are treated with a test composition under investigation, then in one embodiment the propensity of the test composition to elicit a spontaneous cAMP overshoot and an inverse agonist induced cAMP overshoot is determined and serves as a surrogate measure of addiction liability. The inverse agonist induced cAMP overshoot signifies the presence of what is designated as the constitutively active state for the opioid .mu. receptors. The use of these assays has led to the identification of compounds that have the desired effects on the constitutive activation of the opioid .mu. receptors.

Abstract: A method for screening G protein coupled receptors is provided in which G protein coupled receptors that are constitutively active are determined, such as by measuring receptor phosphorylation agonist independent signalling. When a G protein coupled receptor is found to be regulated by constitutive activity, then assay systems may be set up to classify test compounds as agonists, neutral antagonists, or negative antagonists with respect to G protein coupled receptor signalling and phosphorylation. Such determinations and screening are useful for selecting new pharmaceuticals potentially useful in treating disease states mediated by G protein coupled receptors, with applications including treatments in conjunction with narcotic analgesia.