University of Montana research proves that a small dose of medical methamphetamine might go a long way in limiting post-TBI brain damage – Sinapis Pharma raising funds for Trials

A mistake made by a PhD student in a University of Montana lab nearly a decade ago is now on the brink of mid-stage clinical trials as a potential treatment for traumatic brain injuries.

And, most surprising of all, the treatment consists of a small dose of methamphetamine.

It all started when a research assistant in David Poulsen’s neuroscience research lab was doing an experiment that involved using high doses of methamphetamine to create brain damage in small animal models. But somewhere along the line, he misread one of the concentrations of meth that he was preparing and accidentally gave a dramatically diluted dose to one group of rats.

With phase 1 safety studies complete, Sinapis is in the middle of raising a $6 million Series B that will fund an upcoming trial in 30 patients with brain injuries, which will establish dosing for the subsequent Phase 2b efficacy study.

Sinapis Pharma http://www.sinapispharma.com/

by Deanna Pogorelc

Read more: http://medcitynews.com/2014/05/low-doses-methamphetamine-brain-injury/#ixzz31V2yM3Hn