The Wenthur Laboratory takes a highly interdisciplinary approach to the development of new tools and therapeutic approaches for understanding and treating psychiatric illnesses. The lab has a suite of pre-clinical and clinical research projects; these projects employ approaches ranging from chemical synthesis, to in vitro pharmacologic assays, to in vivo behavioral models, to psychometric screening in human subjects. Our projects include development of antibodies directed against synthetic opioids and cannabinoids; mechanistic dissection of rapidly-acting antidepressant activities of ketamine, psilocybin, and other psychedelics; and identification of opportunities and barriers to implementation of novel mental healthcare delivery approaches like addiction vaccines and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapies. Ultimately, we believe that coordinated investigation across multiple levels of inquiry is necessary to support rapid translation of findings and make real progress in improving human mental health.
Grants
Active*/Recent Funding
- NIMH – R01MH122742 *
- WARF – URI 2021 *
- Mike & Mary Shannon B-B:WB Fund *
- NIGMS – T32GM008688 *
- NINDS – T32NS105602 *
- NIDA – F32DA043323
- NIDA – L30DA036204
- The ALSAM Foundation
Core Focus Areas
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Application of Addiction Vaccines and Small Molecules as Countermeasures for Drug Misuse
These projects are built upon synthesis and/or vaccination with novel compounds that mimic core features of synthetic psychoactive molecule structures, as a means to enable improved screening for use, mitigate drug craving, and/or block the effects of drug overdose. Current projects in this domain focus on synthetic stimulants, cannabinoids, and opioids.
Identification of Harmful Immunologic Responses Following Chronic Opioid Use to Treat Lower Back Pain
Cross-Reactive Antibodies as Broadly-Neutralizing Theranostics for Synthetic Cannabinoid Intoxication
Targeting Ghrelin/Dopamine Receptor Heterodimers for Stimulant Use Disorder
Understanding How Rapidly Acting Antidepressant Compounds Work in the Brain
Efforts in this area are oriented toward deconstruction of the relative impact of complex pharmacologic and psychological responses in the reversal of damaging behaviors by rapidly-acting antidepressant compounds. These projects focus on understanding the actions of ketamine, psilocybin, and other psychedelics, including how these interventions interact with environmental factors.
Deconvoluting Polypharmacologic Contributions of Rapidly-Acting Antidepressants
Recall of Experience and Conscious Awareness in Psilocybin Treatment of Depression (RECAP)
Pro-Neuroplastic Mechanisms Underlying Therapeutic Actions of Psychoactive Agents
Addressing Barriers to Implementation of Next-Generation Psychiatric Treatment Approaches
This domain centers on engagement with key stakeholders early in the drug development process as a means to measure and incorporate the voices of patients and providers within implementation of conceptually-novel psychiatric treatment approaches and promote equitable and ethical distribution of mental healthcare services. Current projects focus on the use of human surveys and qualitative interviews focused on assessing the logistical and ethical considerations for implementation of ‘addiction vaccine’ and ‘psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy’ approaches.
Psychedelic Outcomes: Interaction of Environment, Self-Identity, and Success (POIESIS)
Pharmacist Experiences and Opinions Regarding Ethics and Logistics of Vaccination for Opioid Use Disorder
Expansion of Naloxone Dispensing Under Pharmacist Scope of Practice