The Philippines’ pioneering effort to study the science of drug addiction focusing on the craving and withdrawal from toluene, a volatile inhalant found in rugby, receives renewed funding from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), allowing further investigations into groundbreaking treatments for toluene addiction and depression using animal models.

The program entitled, “Novel Approaches to Treatment of Addiction and Depression using Animal  Models” or NATAD Program led by Dr. Rohani Cena-Navarro of the University of the Philippines Manila – National Institutes of Health (UP-NIH) has made significant progress in understanding addiction and depression and has been renewed for further research and development until January 31, 2024.

Following the program’s renewal, a comprehensive work plan has been set in motion to achieve the objectives. Recently renewed in February 2023, the project’s second component aims to raise public awareness about the potential benefits and risks of combining psychobiotic and antidepressant drug treatments. In its second year of implementation, the team will focus on studying how certain depression medications affect induced rats. This will involve checking the levels of helpful bacteria in the guts of rats that have symptoms similar to depression.

The first component, renewed in February 2022, utilizes a rodent model or the study of mice and rats, to investigate the effects of toluene (rugby) withdrawal and craving on the rats’ memory, anxiety, and social interaction. After its renewal, the project has launched the country’s first neurobehavioral animal research laboratory accredited by the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) and approved by the UP Manila Institutional Animal Care and Committee (IACUC) situated within the newly renovated facilities at the UP-NIH in January 2023.

Furthermore, Project 1 conducted a pilot study on male rats, investigating the effects of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) and a series of behavioral tests in rats, shedding light on addiction and depression-like behaviors.

DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. expressed his support for the NATAD Program’s renewal and its impact on public health. “The NATAD Program aligns with the DOST’s commitment to advancing research and development that directly addresses the pressing needs of our society. Beyond projects on health and rehabilitation, DOST is also developing adhesive additives that lessen health hazards. This way, we encourage transformative changes that will benefit the health and safety of individuals, families, communities and even affect socio economic concerns in the country,” said Secretary Solidum.

The NATAD, handled and monitored by the DOST-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) since its inception in 2021, has also fostered crucial collaborations with the University of Puerto Rico, National Center for Mental Health, UP Manila – College of Medicine, UP-NIH, UP Manila – Philippine General Hospital, and UP Diliman – Institutes of Chemistry.

“NATAD Program represents a significant step forward in our efforts to understand and address the complexities of addiction and depression. By utilizing animal models and innovative approaches, NATAD has the potential to contribute invaluable knowledge to the field of mental health research, ultimately leading to improved treatment strategies and better outcomes for those affected,” says PCHRD Executive Director Dr. Jaime Montoya.

The NATAD Program is among PCHRD’s health research initiatives under its Mental Health R&D Program, which is one of the latest additions to the growing health R&D priorities of the Council. The institutionalization of mental health as a priority research area in response to the much-needed research and innovation in the field paved the way for the development of the program.