The University of Surrey to lead a European Study on the Genetics of AddictionJanuary 17, 2005The University of Surrey today announced that it is to lead a major European research initiative in the genetics of drug addiction, funded by an EUR8.1 million contract from the European Commission. The effort brings together eight leading public and private research organisations with the aim of identifying genes involved in addiction and advancing the development of new treatment strategies for this serious disease. Although the role of genetics in susceptibility to addiction has been recognised for some time, the complexity of the disease and the importance of familial environmental risk factors have made isolating genes a formidable challenge. To meet it, this initiative will combine human population genetics with powerful animal genetics and gene-expression strategies. Reykjavik-based deCODE genetics, a biopharmaceutical company and world leader in gene discovery in common diseases, will head the human genetics effort, working with Iceland's National Center of Addiction Medicine (SAA). Professor Ian Kitchen of the School of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences at the University of Surrey, who heads the research programme said "It is very exciting to be able to bring together the capabilities of eight leading groups across Europe. An understanding of the genetics of addiction may give us new insight into the biological basis of addiction and the dysfunction of the addicted brain. This may serve as a first step toward developing treatments that can fight drug craving and relapse, instead of focusing solely on the symptoms of drug withdrawal as we do today". Surrey, University of |
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| Related Addiction Current Events and Addiction News Articles Stress-induced changes in brain circuitry linked to cocaine relapse Stress-evoked changes in circuits that regulate serotonin in certain parts of the brain can precipitate a low mood and a relapse in cocaine-seeking, based on mouse studies published online this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Crushing cigarettes in a virtual reality environment reduces tobacco addiction Smokers who crushed computer-simulated cigarettes as part of a psychosocial treatment program in a virtual reality environment had significantly reduced nicotine dependence and higher rates of tobacco abstinence than smokers participating in the same program who grasped a computer-simulated ball. Iberian wolves prefer wild roe deer to domestic animals A Spanish researcher has analysed the preferences of wolves from the north east of the Iberian Peninsula to demonstrate that, in reality, their favourite prey are roe deer, deer and wild boar, ahead of domestic ruminants (sheep, goats, cows and horses). Exercise makes cigarettes less attractive to smokers Exercise can help smokers quit because it makes cigarettes less attractive. A new study from the University of Exeter shows for the first time that exercise can lessen the power of cigarettes and smoking-related images to grab the attention of smokers. The study is published in the journal Addiction. U of C chemists discover recipe to design a better type of fuel cell Fuel cells are often touted as one method to help decrease society's addiction to fossil fuels. But there is still a lot of work to be done before fuel cells will be ready for mass market to be used in transportation, home heating and portable power for emergencies. UK incidence of children living with substance-misusing parents considerably underestimated Current figures underestimate the number of children who may be at risk of harm from parental substance use. Researchers writing in the open access journal BMC Public Health have generated new estimates using five national surveys which include measures of binge, hazardous and dependent drinking, illicit drug use and mental health. Less than 50 percent of men and women with depression see a doctor for treatment Less than half of men and women in Ontario who may be suffering from depression see a doctor to treat their potentially debilitating condition, according to a new women's health study by researchers at St. Michael's Hospital and the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES). Computer Model Shows Changes in Brain Mechanisms for Cocaine Addicts About 2 million Americans currently use cocaine for its temporary side-effects of euphoria, which have contributed to making it one of the most dangerous and addictive drugs in the country. Are the monoamines involved in shaping conduct disorders? Antisocial and aggressive behaviours represent a widespread and expensive social problem. Recent research has convincingly shown that there is a strong interaction between genetic inheritance and environment for development of personality and behaviour. Doctors Fear Asking Mentally Ill to Quit Smoking People with mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety are the heaviest smokers in the country, but their doctors are afraid to ask them to quit. They assume that if their patients try to quit smoking, their mental disorders will get worse. More Addiction Current Events and Addiction News Articles |
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