University of Virginia scientists have launched LogiRx, an AI tool that speeds up the drug development process by pinpointing not only suitable patient populations but also how drugs interact within cells. They notably discovered that the antidepressant escitalopram may help prevent heart failure, shedding light on off-target drug effects.
In a groundbreaking advancement, scientists from the University of Virginia School of Medicine have unveiled LogiRx, an artificial intelligence tool poised to expedite the creation of new disease treatments. Unlike existing AI methods, LogiRx not only determines which patient groups could benefit but also unveils the underlying mechanisms of how drugs function at the cellular level.
Their journey leads to a startling revelation: the team identified an unexpected potential for the antidepressant escitalopram, known as Lexapro, to avert heart failure—a significant mass killer in the U.S. and worldwide. This innovative AI tool holds the capability to forecast how drugs, beyond their intended uses, influence biological processes, enriching our understanding of medication effects.
Heart failure claims over 400,000 American lives annually, primarily due to cardiac hypertrophy, the perilous thickening of heart muscle. Saucerman and his research partner, PhD student Taylor Eggertsen, sought to harness LogiRx to pinpoint drugs that can thwart this detrimental condition. Their evaluations of 62 previously considered candidates yielded LogiRx’s accurate predictions of beneficial “off-target” effects found in two drugs.
Through rigorous laboratory tests and patient analysis, they confirmed that those on escitalopram exhibited a significantly lower likelihood of developing cardiac hypertrophy. Eggertsen excitedly noted, “LogiRx identifies unexpected new uses for old drugs that are already shown to be safe in humans.
LogiRx emerges as a transformative force in the realm of drug research, combining cutting-edge AI with cellular knowledge to unlock new therapeutic possibilities. While further clinical trials are essential before widespread clinical use of escitalopram for heart conditions, this tool heralds a brighter tomorrow for heart health and other critical ailments. The journey is just beginning, with exciting prospects for future discoveries.
Original Source: www.theroanokestar.com
