World Renowned Scientist Dr. Kenneth Blum Explains Why Acomplia (rimonabant) May Result in Greater Depression and Suicidal Thoughts
Salugen, Inc. Gene Pioneer Professor Ken Blum explains how Reward Deficiency Syndrome may be worsened by Acomplia (rimonabant) and how GenoTrim may be used as an alternative.
San Diego, CA (PRWeb) June 21, 2007 -- Salugen, Inc. Gene Pioneer Professor Ken Blum explains how Reward Deficiency Syndrome may be worsened by Acomplia (rimonabant) and how GenoTrim may be used as an alternative. First, he discovered the alcoholism gene 10 years before publication of the Human Genome Project. Next, he explained how the "pleasure" system works in the brain through the Brain Reward Cascade. Then, he explained why 1/3rd of people have a gene deficiency that drives them to overcome their chemical imbalance by consuming
excess alcohol, sugar, carbohydrates, illegal drugs, prescription pain killers, or other compulsive behaviors. With this understanding of how the brain governs our cravings, Wake Forest University School of Medicine Professor and Salugen, Inc. Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Kenneth Blum, now explains why Acomplia (rimonabant) may result in greater depression and suicidal thoughts in people who take it.
Most recently the US FDA rejected Acomplia/Zimulti (rimonabant) as an anti-obesity agent for sale in the U.S. (http://en.sanofi-aventis.com/Images/20070613_Rimonabant_AD_Comm_EN_tcm24-16868.pdf). However it is currently sold in 18 countries in Europe with sales upward of 20 million for 2007 and over 130,000 users. The unanimous decision of the US FDA was based on the drug's potential ability to induce depression and suicidal ideation in humans. In two independent studies, participants have withdrawn due to episodes of depression and suicidal thoughts iin spite of anti-depressant effects observed in animal studies (http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/ac/07/briefing/2007-4306b1-fda-backgrounder.pdf).
"According to early studies, a prolonged period of treatment with Acomplia likely results in a blockade of dopamine neuronal release in the brain's reward center. By reducing the body's ability to receive dopamine, the body then begins to feel less of the benefits from dopamine or what has been called the "pleasure molecule". Having less of this pleasure molecule reduces the brain's ability to experience pleasure, happiness, and wellbeing. Persons with less dopamine have greater incidence of depression, addictions, and other neurological problems. It
should come as no surprise that a person taking Acomplia may be more likely to be depressed and thinking about suicide. And when such a drug is combined with those persons who already have a genetic predisposition for less dopamine, then there is a potential recipe for real problems" states Dr. Blum.
Dr. Blum goes onto explain, "while the consensus of the literature tends to support the use of dopamine release blockade as a way of preventing reinforcement, common sense would argue its wisdom. Our laboratory and others from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) have challenged this concept. We have advocated using agonist therapy for treating addiction rather than antagonist therapy as induced by Acomplia." The NIDA scientists have concluded that Dopamine and Serotonin (5-HT) releasers might be useful therapeutic adjuncts for the treatment of reward deficiency syndrome subtypes, such as cocaine and alcohol addiction,
obesity, and even attention deficit disorder and depression (http://rewarddeficiencysyndrome.blogspot.com). This is so because, it has been shown that pharmacological manipulations that increase extracellular Serotonin (5-HT) attenuate stimulant effects produced by dopamine release, such as locomotor stimulation and self-administration
behavior.
Dr. Kenneth Blum is also the Chief Scientific Officer of Salugen, Inc. (www.salugen.com), a leading personalized health and wellness company, based in San Diego, CA. Salugen, through its partner, DNA Services of America (www.dnasoa.com), will be introducing GenoTrim, a DNA-customized nutritional solution for weight management (www.genotrim.com) later in 2007. GenoTrim contains a proprietary ingredient complex from Salugen called synaptamine which is a dopamine agonist. This ingredient is customized in GenoTrim based upon a DNA analysis conducted first, including the dopamine D2 receptor gene and serotonin (5-HT) 2A receptor gene. Synaptamine's mechanism of action is likely an increase of dopamine release at the nucleus acumbens by virtue of gabaergic inhibition. This is potentially brought about by the use of d-phenylalanine, a known enkephalinase inhibitor thereby inducing enkephalinergic inhibition of GABA firing at the substania-nigra causing disinhibition and increased neuronal dopamine release.
In a clinical study, the administration of GenoTrim over an average of 80 days significantly increased the feelings of happiness and weight reduction. In another clinical study recently published, study participants experienced stress and weight reduction, improved sleep and energy, and an improved sense of wellbeing.
"With GenoTrim, we have demonstrated in repeated studies that you can reduce weight and increase feelings of happiness and wellbeing, rather than increasing depression and suicidal thoughts like Acomplia," states Dr. Blum. "For the millions of Americans who are disappointed to learn that Acomplia was rejected by the U.S. FDA, they should feel comforted in the decision of these experts."
As an alternative to prescription Acomplia and over the county Alli, the next innovation in weight management technology is DNA-customized GenoTrim to support weight loss efforts without the negative side effects.*
About GenoTrim
GenoTrim is a DNA-customized nutritional solution for weight management. Based upon an analysis of five important genes effecting weight, GenoTrim ingredients and dosages are genetically-guided to address the underlying genetic factors involved in hormones and metabolism that Harvard Medical Experts suggest influence 70% to 80% of overweight cases. By addressing genetic factors that make individuals prone to weight problems, GenoTrim has demonstrated in studies to help reduce weight, appetite, sugar cravings, snacking, and late-night eating, as well as help support improved sleep, mood, and energy levels which results in sustainable weight loss. GenoTrim will be available in the United States through DNA Services of America (www.dnasoa.com) later in 2007. For more information on GenoTrim, please visit www.genotrim.com.
About Salugen
Salugen, Inc., a leading personalized health and wellness company, engages in the discovery, development and commercialization of patent-protected genetic tests and companion DNA-customized therapeutics worldwide. With over 30 years of research conducted on the genetic causes and pharmacology of many healthcare concerns, Salugen is a pioneer and leader in delivering personalized medicine. Currently, the Company commercializes nutrigenomic technologies where genetic analysis guides the formulation and delivery of nutritional solutions that are customized to the individual. The company has headquarters in San Diego, CA, with its high-complexity CLIA-certified laboratory services in Los Angeles, CA. For additional information about the company, please visit http://www.salugen.com.
* These statements have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
About Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS)
Sixteen years ago, Blum et al published research suggesting that alcoholism, a prevalent healthcare condition which had been traditionally characterized in behavioral terms, also had a genetic component. Blum’s research continued to explain how analyzing certain genotypes could guide dietary intake and environments to overcome this genetic predisposition. [7] Like alcoholism, obesity, drug addiction, and other compulsive craving behaviors may be due in part to certain genetic predispositions; and by the body engaging in behavior to overcome these deficiencies, the host may engage in behaviors that are individually unhealthy or detrimental.
Blum’s initial research began to elucidate a concept that he has defined as Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS). RDS results from a dysfunction in the Brain Reward Cascade which directly links abnormal craving behavior with a defect in the DRD2 Dopamine Receptor Gene as well as other dopaminergic genes (D1, D3, D4, D5). [8, 9] Dopamine is a very powerful neurotransmitter in the brain that controls feelings of well being. This sense of well being is produced through the interaction of dopamine and neurotransmitters such as serotonin, the opioids, and other powerful brain chemicals. Low serotonin levels are associated with depression. High levels of the opioids (the brain's opium) are associated with a sense of well being. The complex interactions of these powerful neurotransmitters ultimately regulating the dopaminergic activity in the Reward Center of the Brain, which has been termed by Blum and Koslowski, "The Brain Reward Cascade.” [10]
Reward Deficiency Syndrome involves a form of sensory deprivation of the brain's reward or pleasure mechanisms. The Reward Deficiency Syndrome can be manifested in relatively mild or severe forms that follow as a consequence of an individual's biochemical inability to derive reward from ordinary, everyday activities. We believe that we have discovered at least one genetic aberration that leads to an alteration in the reward pathways of the brain. It is a variant form of the gene for the dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2), called the A1 allele. This genetic variant also is associated with a spectrum of impulsive, compulsive, and addictive behaviors. The concept of the Reward Deficiency Syndrome unites those disorders and can explain how simple genetic anomalies give rise to complex aberrant behavior. [11, 12]
LIST OF REFERENCES
[7] Blum, K., Noble, E.P., Sheridan, P.J., Montgomery, A., Ritchie, T., Jagadeeswaran, P., Nogami, H., Briggs, A.H., and Cohn, J.B., Allelic association of human dopamine D2 receptor gene in alcoholism. Journal of the American Medical Association 1990,263: 2055-2060.
[8] Blum, K, Cull, JG, Braverman ER, and Comings, DE. Reward Deficiency Syndrome. The American Scientist, 1996a 84: 132-45.
[9] Blum, K. Sheridan, P.J. Wood, R. C. Braverman, E.R. Chen, T.J.H. Cull, J.G. and Comings, D.E. The D2 dopamine receptor gene as a predictor of impulsive-addictive-compulsive behavior: Bayes' theorem. J. Royal Society of Medicine 89, 396-400, 1996.
[10] Blum K, and Kozlowski GP, 1990 . Ethanol and neuromodulator interactions: a cascade model of reward. In: Ollat, H., Parvez, S. and parvez, H. (Eds), Alcohol and Behavior, Utrecht, Netherlands, VSP Press, 131-149
[11] Blum, K & Braverman, ER. Reward Deficiency Syndrome: A biogenetic model for the diagnosis and treatment of impulsive, addictive and compulsive behaviors. J Psychoactive Drugs. 2000, 32:1-100.
[12] Bowirrat, A. and Oscar-Berman, M.: Relationship between dopaminergic neurotransmission, alcoholism, and reward deficiency syndrome. Am. J. Med.Genet. Part B (Neuropsychiatric Genetics), 2005. 132B:29-37
RDS in Alternative Sentencing
Monday, July 23, 2007
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