Embera's Combination Treatment: EMB-001

In order to help drug users achieve and maintain abstinence, Embera has targeted the dysregulated systems that may cause craving, loss of control and loss of motivation. The challenge, however, is that the abnormalities in the brain circuits are persistent, likely because feedback between the systems reinforces and maintains the dysregulations. Targeting only one dysregulated system may require high drug doses, which could cause intolerable side effects, in order to overcome the feedback. Even with these high doses, targeting only one system may not be enough.

Embera's combination treatment, EMB-001, takes the foot off the accelerator and applies the brake to calm brain circuits by targeting two dysregulated systems. On the one hand, EMB-001 prevents or reduces over-activation of the CRF/stress response system. On the other hand, EMB-001 boosts GABA system activity, providing an inhibitory or braking effect on the circuits that are prone to hyperexcitability. By taking the foot off the accelerator and applying the brake, EMB-001 may substantially reduce craving and loss of control and improve motivation, resulting in the addict being able to stop substance abuse and then maintain long term abstinence.

Pre-Clinical Data

In animal models, EMB-001 at tolerable doses reduced self-administration of cocaine and methamphetamine. In these experiments the EMB-001 combination was effective even though the same doses of each drug in the combination had previously been found to be ineffective when administered separately or as monotherapy. These results suggest that EMB-001 has the potential to break the barriers to addiction recovery at well-tolerated doses. See the "Research and Information" section for published literature regarding these studies.

Clinical Data

In 2008 Embera conducted a six week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study of the drugs contained in EMB-001 in the treatment of cocaine addiction. Signals of efficacy were observed; results are expected to be published in the next year.

Research and Information

Effects of the combination of metyrapone and oxazepam on cocaine and food self-administration in rats
by Nick E. Goeders

Stress, the Hypothalamic- Pituitary- Adrenal Axis, and Vulnerability to Drug Abuse
by Nick E. Goeders

Effects of surgical and pharmacological adrenalectomy on the initiation and maintenance of intravenous cocaine self-administration in rats
by N.E. Goeders and G.F. Guerin

Stress and Cocaine Addiction
by Nick E. Goeders

The HPA axis and cocaine reinforcement
by Nick E. Goeders

The impact of stress on addiction
by Nick E. Goeders