About the Project

• Background

  Opioid-related deaths is a serious public health concern, with synthetic opioids like fentanyl now being the leading cause of death among young adults in the United States.

  Today, the approved antidote for opioid overdose is naloxone. It effectively reverses the classic signs of an opioid overdose, which is unconsciousness, slowed breathing, and pinpoint pupils.

  However, one lesser-known but critical effect of fentanyl is its ability to activate skeletal muscles across various species, including pigs, rodents, cats, horses, and humans. In people, this can affect the chest and throat muscles, making it difficult, or even impossible, to breathe. This condition is often referred to as “rigid chest” , “wooden chest” and “vocal cord closure”.

  While the symptoms attributed to skeletal muscle activation may vary between species, the underlying mechanism likely involves a shared biological pathway, involving the serotonergic system.

  The AntiFENT project has investigated how fentanyl can activate skeletal muscles in pigs and rats. Our studies in animal models show that targeting the serotonin system can reverse muscle effects induced by fentanyl. These finding paves the way for new treatment strategies, tailored to the fast-evolving landscape of illicit synthetic opioids.

• Aim

  Our goal is to apply what we’ve learned from animal studies in a translational way to explore whether these insights could have clinical relevance for humans exposed to fentanyl and similar drugs. We hope that developing a tailored antidote, one that addresses all life-threatening effects of synthetic opioids, can improve the chances of survival for those affected.

Researchers and Partners

• Researchers at NMBU

  • Centre for Healthcare Data Science (CEHEADS)
• Other Partners and Researchers

  

  Andreas Lervik

  Evidensia Oslo Small Animal Hospital

  • PhD
  • Diplomate ECVAA
  • Swedish specialist in small animal medicine

  Arne Kristian Skulberg

  Oslo University Hospital

  • Prehospital Research Group
  • Senior Physician
  • Researcher
  • MD
  • PhD

  Inger Lise Bogen

  Oslo University Hospital

  • Department of Forensic Science
  • Research group leader
  • Senior Scientist
  • MSc Pharm
  • PhD
  • Assosiate Professor

  Jannike Mørch Andersen

  Oslo University Hospital

  • Department of Forensic Science
  • Head of unit
  • PhD
  • Assosiate Professor

  • Ard Innovation

• Publications

  Evaluation of laryngeal function using a novel AI model to test new antidotes for fentanyl-induced laryngospasm

  Digranes, N., Miesenböck, J., Pettersson, E., Nordgreen, J. & Haga, H. A. (2024).

  Motor effects of fentanyl in isoflurane-anaesthetized pigs and the subsequent effect of ketanserin or naloxone

  Digranes, N., Hoeberg, E., Lervik, A., Hubin, A., Nordgreen, J. & Haga, H. A. (2024a)

  The effect of fentanyl on immobility after noxious stimulation in isoflurane-anaesthetised pigs: Exploring the role of the serotonergic system

  Digranes, N., Hognestad, B. W., Nordgreen, J. & Haga, H. A. (2024)

  Fentanyl Induces Psychomotor Side-Effects in Healthy Pigs

  Digranes, N.; Haga, H.A.; Nordgreen, J. High and Hyper

• News and Media Coverage

  

  AntiFENT selected to participate in The Forge | Digital Life Norway

  The Forge is Norway’s first national biotechnology accelerator. Digital Life Norway (DLN) and Aleap organize this six-month program to help excellent research transition into viable businesses. AntiFENT has been selected to participate.