A New Implant Shows Promise in Reversing Drug Overdoses
This implantable device, though not yet tested in humans, shows promise in reducing opioid deaths, particularly among high-risk individuals. Designed to be placed under the skin similarly to a pacemaker, it has the potential to automatically detect an overdose and deliver life-saving naloxone.Joanna Ciatti/Northwestern University
Naloxone has been a life-saving treatment for reversing opioid overdoses, but its effectiveness depends on someone being present to administer it promptly—a challenge when many overdoses occur when individuals are alone. To address this issue, researchers have developed an implantable device called the Naloximeter. Powered by a battery and inserted under the skin, the device is capable of detecting the onset of an overdose, then automatically releasing naloxone into the bloodstream while alerting first responders. This innovative approach, reported on October 23 in Science Advances, has so far been tested only in animal models.
Researchers hope the Naloximeter implant could benefit high-risk individuals, particularly those who are newly sober after treatment or incarceration. People in early recovery face a 10 to 16 times higher risk of fatal overdose, as their opioid tolerance has diminished.
In 2023, the U.S. saw over 80,000 opioid overdose deaths. Robert Gereau, a neuroscientist at Washington University in St. Louis, emphasized the urgent need for new harm reduction methods to combat the worsening fentanyl crisis.
Traditional methods, like safe injection sites and hotlines, offer support when bystanders are present, while newer apps can alert responders. The Naloximeter, however, goes further: it actively delivers naloxone during an overdose, filling a critical intervention gap.
The Naloximeter’s sensor monitors oxygen levels, detecting the sudden drops characteristic of overdose. In future human applications, an alert would appear on the person’s phone, allowing them to dismiss it if false; otherwise, naloxone would be administered.
In animal trials, Gereau’s team tested various delivery methods. In pigs, they found that an intravenous catheter within the implant worked best, delivering 0.7 milliliters of naloxone in under a minute—enough for rapid brain action, notes materials scientist Joanna Ciatti of Northwestern University.
While clinical trials in humans are still distant, the technology is promising. Addiction researcher Monty Ghosh at the University of Alberta points out that its success will depend on the device's invasiveness, cost, and whether those at risk are open to such an intervention.
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