Patent on Fezolinetant Use
Professor Raul Andero’s laboratory, Translational Mechanisms of Fear Memory, has registered a European patent on the use of Fezolinetant—a drug originally developed to treat vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause—for modulating the consolidation of aversive memories.
This work builds on years of preclinical research in his lab, evaluating the effectiveness of Neurokinin 3 receptor (Nk3R) antagonists, such as Fezolinetant. Confirming previous findings on the role of Nk3R in fear memory consolidation, we demonstrate that Fezolinetant is a promising drug, with sex-specific effects and dosing. Specifically, Fezolinetant may enhance memory in women while reducing it in men.
This suggests potential therapeutic applications: in women, it could strengthen memory after a successful psychotherapy session, amplifying positive effects; in men, it could be beneficial if administered immediately after a highly stressful and traumatic event, such as a car accident, to weaken negative memories.
Since Fezolinetant is already available in pharmacies across Europe and the United States, the next step is to clinically investigate its effects on emotional memory formation. If results are positive, Fezolinetant could become a targeted treatment for fear-related disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).