A pharmacist and PhD candidate in medicinal chemistry at the University of Toledo, United States, Trust Nwaka, is studying how psychedelic drugs interact with biological targets and the processes through which they produce therapeutic and adverse effects.
Nwaka’s research focuses on tryptamines, a class of psychoactive compounds being investigated for their potential use in treating depression, substance use disorders and other neuropsychiatric conditions.
According to a statement signed by Nwaka and made available to PUNCH Online on Friday, the research is examining whether the compounds interact with proteins and biological pathways beyond the receptors traditionally associated with their effects.
Nwaka said he is using photoaffinity labelling, a chemical biology technique for identifying interactions between drugs and biological targets, alongside multi-omics approaches to study the effects of the compounds.
He noted that the approach is intended to provide information about the biological systems affected by the drugs and how those interactions may relate to behavioural and therapeutic effects.
“We need to identify the targets these drugs interact with, the pathways they alter, and how those molecular events contribute to both their therapeutic benefits and undesirable effects,” Nwaka said.
Psychedelic compounds have attracted increasing research interest for their potential applications in the treatment of some neuropsychiatric conditions. However, researchers continue to examine questions surrounding their psychoactive effects, safety, abuse liability and long-term effects.
Nwaka said his research was aimed at identifying drug targets and biological pathways that could help explain both the therapeutic and unwanted effects associated with psychoactive compounds.
He has presented findings from the research at conferences organised by the American Chemical Society, the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers and the Chemistry and Pharmacology of Drug Abuse.
He was also selected for the American Chemical Society Future Pharma Innovator Programme, which brought together 22 participants from the United States and Canada.
Nwaka is also president of the University of Toledo chapter of NOBCChE.
The researcher said further understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in psychedelic drug action could contribute to research into treatments for depression, substance use disorders and related conditions.