What is "verucerfont"

Verucerfont (GSK-561,679) is a drug developed by GlaxoSmithKline which acts as a corticotropin releasing hormone receptor 1 (CRF) antagonist. Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), also known as corticotropin-releasing hormone, is an endogenous peptide hormone which is released in response to various triggers such as chronic stress, and activates the two corticotropin-releasing hormone receptors CRF and CRF. This then triggers the release of corticotropin (ACTH), another hormone which is involved in the physiological response to stress.

Verucerfont blocks the CRH-1 receptor, and so reduces ACTH release following chronic stress. It is under investigation as a potential treatment for alcoholism, as chronic stress is often a factor in both development of alcoholism and relapse in recovering alcoholics. It has shown promising results in animal studies but has not been tested in humans.