DeCure's autonomous Rare AI scientist is researching a drug-repurposing hypothesis for drug dependence — screening already-approved drugs against its 47-gene Open Targets disease module to publish open-access research. Research is fast; the path to publication is funded in milestone stages.
Disease moduleDrug dependence maps to a 47-gene Open Targets module — the target space DeCure's AI scientist screens approved drugs against.
DeCure.ai methodSignature reversal (LINCS) plus network proximity (STRING) rank already-approved drugs likely to perturb this module — the same engine that produces DeCure.ai's repurposing hypotheses.
Repurposing thesisScreening approved medicines against this disease module, then publishing the evidence for the strongest candidate. Known pharmacology and human exposure data make the first question sharper — they do not establish safety or efficacy in a new indication.
Research record
01
ResearchComing soon
Candidate research + dossier — target rationale, drug-repurposing thesis and evidence pack.proof: Published dossier + on-chain hash
02
ValidationComing soon
In-vitro biological validation at a contract research org (CRO).proof: CRO contract + in-vitro report
03
Peer review & paperComing soon
Peer-reviewed paper published open-access (preprint + journal).proof: DOI + open-access link + on-chain hash
Current lead
No approved-drug candidate for drug dependence is corroborated in the literature DeepSearch retrieved. Some conditions are managed with non-pharmacological care — a device, surgery or physical therapy — rather than a medicine; that may be the case here, or the literature we found may simply be too sparse yet to support a drug-repurposing angle.
Molecular view
NCK adaptor protein 2 (NCK2) — NCK2 is one of the genes genetically linked to this disease in Open Targets — shown as context, not as a drug target we're pursuing: no approved-drug candidate for this disease is yet corroborated in the literature we found.
Loading structure…
helix sheet ipadrag to rotate · scroll to zoom
RCSB Protein Data Bank · entry 2CIA · 1.45 Å · ligand ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL (IPA). Experimental structure, not a prediction.
What the evidence adds up to
Drug dependence is defined as an adaptive state from repeated drug administration that results in withdrawal symptoms when use stops; these symptoms range from mild (caffeine) to life-threatening (alcohol, opioids). Addiction is a distinct concept, described as compulsive, out-of-control drug use despite negative consequences. The 2007 overview identifies specific receptors for each drug of abuse and their target neurotransmitter systems as potential treatment targets, but does not report any clinical trial results. The 2000 review states that psychosocial treatments, sometimes with substitution pharmacotherapy, have been shown effective and cost-saving, but notes that limited access, poor treatment retention, and high relapse rates remain significant obstacles.
Genetic factors contribute to dependence risk, with some effects specific to a substance (e.g., individual differences in euphoric response) and others general (e.g., personality traits like novelty seeking). Pharmacogenetic interactions relevant to cocaine, opioids, and nicotine have been demonstrated or proposed, including pharmacokinetic phenomena for cocaine and nicotine. No concrete numbers on survival, response rates, or sample sizes appear in any of these abstracts, as they are all reviews or overviews rather than primary trials.
The abstracts do not report any specific drug repurposing data, no quantitative outcomes from treatment studies, and no head-to-head comparisons. What is missing are large-scale, randomised controlled trials with clearly defined endpoints for any candidate drug, adequate funding to test pharmacogenetic hypotheses in stratified patient populations, and trial designs that address the persistent problems of treatment retention and relapse.
Evidence
Retrieved by DeepSearch across 234,678,978 indexed works and resolved on OpenAlex — ranked by citations, including the results that did not work.
Indian Journal of Psychiatry · 2007 · 42 citations · open access
Cellular and molecular mechanisms of drug dependence: An overview and update
AbstractDrug dependence is a major cause of morbidity and loss of productivity. Various theories ranging from economic to psychological have been invoked in an attempt to explain this condition. With the advent of research at the cellular and subcellular levels, perspectives on the etiology of drug dependence have also changed. Perhaps the greatest advance has been in the identification of specific receptors for each of the drugs, their target neurotransmitter systems and the intracellular changes produced by them. These receptors also provide potential targets for treatment strategies of drug dependence. This overview attempts to present the mechanisms in the development of dependence and the newer treatment strategies for the major drugs of abuse like alcohol, opioids, cannabis, nicotine and cocaine.
Current Opinion in Psychiatry · 2000 · 6 citations
Developments in the treatment of drug dependence
AbstractSeveral psychosocial treatment modalities, sometimes in concert with substitution pharmacotherapy, have been demonstrated to be effective, cost-saving methods for treating drug dependence. Unfortunately, limited access to treatment, poor treatment retention, and high relapse rates remain significant obstacles. This review discusses recent developments in the treatment of drug dependence, focusing on opiate and psychostimulant addiction.
International Journal of Advanced Research in Science Communication and Technology · 2023 · 0 citations · open access
Drug Dependence: Drug Addiction, Drug Abuse, Drug Tolerance and Dependence
AbstractDependence means that when a person stops using a drug, their body goes through “withdrawal”: a group of physical and mental symptoms that can range from mild (if the drug is caffeine) to life-threatening (such as alcohol or opioids, including heroin and prescription pain relievers). Substance dependence, also known as drug dependence, is an adaptive state that develops from repeated drug administration, and which results in withdrawal in assation of drug use. A drug addiction a distinct concept from substance dependence, is defined as compulsive; out-of-control drug use, despite negative consequences.
Cambridge University Press eBooks · 2002 · 0 citations
Genetic variation and drug dependence risk factors
AbstractThis chapter discusses pharmacogenetics in the context of substance abuse and dependence. Genetic factors are important contributors to risk for substance dependence. Some are specific to the substance (e.g., resulting in different euphoric effects by individual), and some are more general (e.g., personality features, like novelty seeking, antisocial personality, and so on, which may influence exposure to substances or the transition from substance use to dependence). If the set of all genetically influenced disorders is considered, some forms of substance dependence are uniquely influenced by pharmacogenetic factors. The chapter explores some of the mechanisms involved, and their implications for diagnosis, treatment, and research. Specific pharmacogenetic interactions relevant to the understanding of dependence on cocaine, opioids, and nicotine have either been demonstrated or proposed. The chapter presents examples relevant to each phenotype. Pharmacokinetic phenomena relevant to cocaine and nicotine dependence are also discussed.
Disease module: DeepOracle (Open Targets). Structures: RDKit from PubChem SMILES. Literature: retrieved by DeepSearch across 234,678,978 indexed works (targeted per-candidate search), resolved on OpenAlex.
DeCure is a research and publication project, not medical advice and not a treatment. "DeCure for X" describes a research goal, not a claim that a cure exists. Backing a cure is a contribution to fund the research — it is not an investment, and confers no yield, royalty, equity or IP ownership. Papers are published open-access by the DeCure.ai DAO.
