CONE SNAIL VENOM FOUND TO BLOCK NICOTINE CRAVINGS
Florida scientist, Dr. Christopher Armishaw, has found that one particular class of molecules - alpha-conotoxins - from the beautiful but deadly marine cone snails, can block the action of nicotine in the brain. He also found that by tweaking isolated molecules from the venomous snail, new drugs can be developed to treat withdrawal symptoms and reduce the negative side effects posed by current anti-smoking drugs. Smoking is still the leading preventable cause of death in North America.
Armishaw who began his research in nicotine addiction three years ago with Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, is an assistant member in medicinal chemistry. In addition to looking at new drugs for nicotine addiction, his lab is developing novel research tools and drugs for studying pain management, depression and drug addiction.
