Objective Excessive activation of the cannabinoid type-1 receptor (CB1) in the brain by synthetic, endogenous or plant-derived(cannabis sativa) cannabinoids can lead to pathological states, which could be ameliorated by blocking receptor signalling.However, due to the large number of functions involving the CB1 receptor, direct CB1 antagonist drugs induce side effectslimiting their therapeutic use. During the ERC-StG funded project, we found that a particular endogenous and labile lipidcompound, pregnenolone, acts as an allosteric and signal-specific inhibitor of CB1 receptors in the brain. Thus, stablepregnenolone-derivative drugs have been produced to exploit the therapeutic potential of allosteric inhibition of CB1 receptorsignalling, which can be used to decrease pathological over-activation of CB1 receptors. One clear pathological state whereover-activation of CB1 receptors plays a key role is schizophrenia and psychotic syndromes. Indeed, cannabis and syntheticcannabinoids can induce psychotic states and excessive CB1 receptor signalling has been proposed to participate in theetiopathogenesis of human schizophrenia. Thus, the present project aims at establishing the innovative and commercialpotential of this new class of drugs, stable derivatives of pregnenolone, as allosteric inhibitors of the CB1 receptor for thetreatment of psychotic syndromes.The following issues will be addressed:1. Technical activities will identify the compounds with the best therapeutic potential.2. Market studies will determine the potential competitiveness of these compounds.3. Additional industry partnerships will be sought for later stages of commercial development.By covering these essential steps bridging a scientific idea from basic research to therapeutic applications, the presentproject is fully integrated in the spirit of the ERC PoC program and, if successful, will provide key medical, economical andsocietal benefits to Europe. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculeslipidsmedical and health sciencesclinical medicinepsychiatryschizophrenia Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme Topic(s) ERC-PoC-2014 - ERC Proof of Concept Grant Call for proposal ERC-2014-PoC See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-POC - Proof of Concept Grant Host institution INSTITUT NATIONAL DE LA SANTE ET DE LA RECHERCHE MEDICALE Net EU contribution € 150 000,00 Address RUE DE TOLBIAC 101 75654 Paris France See on map Region Ile-de-France Ile-de-France Paris Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 150 000,00 Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all INSTITUT NATIONAL DE LA SANTE ET DE LA RECHERCHE MEDICALE France Net EU contribution € 150 000,00 Address RUE DE TOLBIAC 101 75654 Paris See on map Region Ile-de-France Ile-de-France Paris Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 150 000,00
