Antipsychotic drug breakthrough eliminates weight gain
Many Australians face severe mental health conditions, and while antipsychotic medications are often prescribed, they come with a significant drawback: weight gain. This side effect complicates the already challenging mental health landscape for patients. However, groundbreaking research from the University of South Australia (UniSA) offers a promising solution. Scientists have developed an innovative coating for antipsychotic drugs that not only reduces weight gain but also enhances serotonin levels by over 250%.
This pioneering study, funded by the Hospital Research Foundation (THRF) Group, primarily focused on Lurasidone—a medication used to manage schizophrenia and bipolar depression. By incorporating a specialized, strategically designed coating, researchers have managed to boost drug absorption by eight times while simultaneously reducing common side effects like weight gain.
The new coating technology employs tiny core-shell particles made from inulin (a type of dietary fiber) and bioactive medium chain triglycerides. The inulin shell energizes gut bacteria, thus enhancing the gut microbiome, while the medium chain triglycerides facilitate the drug's absorption into the bloodstream. This dual-action approach aims to provide a stable energy source for gut bacteria and improve the medication's efficacy.
Dr. Paul Joyce, the lead researcher at UniSA, explains that these microbiota-targeting microcapsules have the potential to transform the therapeutic outcomes of mental health treatments. He points out that most patients dealing with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder are prescribed a range of antipsychotic drugs, which significantly disrupt the gut microbiome. This disruption often leads to weight gain, with many patients experiencing an increase of 10-15% in body weight within just three months of starting treatment.
Given that the gut microbiome plays a crucial role in mood and cognitive regulation, the negative impact of these medications often renders them counterproductive. Instead of enhancing mood and cognition, the drugs can trigger a vicious cycle of poor mental and metabolic health. Patients then find themselves grappling with excess weight alongside their mental health issues.
Furthermore, most antipsychotic medications need to be taken with food to be effective, which is challenging for many patients. This often results in suboptimal drug levels in the body. Dr. Joyce emphasizes the need for new strategies to eliminate such side effects and the necessity for medication to be consumed with food. This is precisely what their research aims to achieve with Lurasidone.
The study demonstrates that reformulating antipsychotic drugs with the new smart core-shell microparticles leads to improved drug absorption, mitigating the need for concurrent food intake. Additionally, it enhances the diversity and abundance of the gut microbiome, thereby addressing common side effects like weight gain.
Dr. Joyce highlights that since this research focuses on reformulating existing drugs rather than developing new ones, the new therapies could be fast-tracked for clinical use. This means that the reformulated medications may be available to patients within a few years, rather than the decade or more typically required for new drug approvals.
The next steps involve testing the efficacy of these reformulated therapies in human patients. The long-term goal is to extend this innovative technology across all mental health treatments, including antidepressants, to mitigate any adverse effects. This research represents a significant stride toward improving the quality of life for millions of people affected by mental health conditions worldwide.
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