Overdose with opiates may cause respiratory paralysis. Antidotes such as Narcan (naloxone) act on all opioid receptors and can thus partially or wholly eliminat the effects caused by opiates and opioids. With the multi-organ system the researchers led by Prof. James Hickman want to investigate the acute and chronic effects of treatments with antidotes in the case of opiate overdose. The research will provide insights into the effects of both overdoses of opiates and of treatment products on kidneys, heart, muscles and liver. 

The model is used to investigate how these drugs affect the part of the brain that controls breathing and to simulate overdose conditions. Prof. Hickman developed the Human-on-a-Chip system at UCF in collaboration with Prof. em. Michael Shuler from Cornell University and President and CEO of Hesperos. The UCF licensed the Technology to Hesperos.

The research is funded by the Helping to End Addiction Long Term Initiative (HEAL Initiative) of the NIH. The initiative aims to improve treatments for chronic pain, curb the rates of opioid use disorder and overdose and achieve long-term recovery from opioid addiction.

Source and further information:
https://hesperosinc.com/hesperos-human-on-a-chip-technology-awarded-first-phase-of-3-8-million-milestone-based-nih-grant-to-study-opiate-overdoses-in-collaboration-with-ucf/