A study found that cocaine use in rats has distinct effects on adolescents versus adults. Adolescent rats showed stable activity levels during treatment, whereas adults developed increased sensitivity to the drug's effects. Additionally, adult rats had altered neurochemical adaptations, including increased dopamine transporter density.
Researchers found that sigma receptor antagonists reduced toxic and stimulant effects of cocaine in mice, indicating a possible link between sigma receptors and cocaine's actions. Antisense oligodeoxynucleotides also showed promise in reducing cocaine's effects by decreasing sigma receptor numbers.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has awarded a total of $4.5 million to create a community-based drug abuse prevention trials network. The grants will support multi-site studies of evidence-based interventions aimed at preventing substance abuse in urban school settings.
A new research network aims to develop and test integrated approaches to treating incarcerated individuals with drug abuse disorders. The National Criminal Justice Drug Abuse Treatment Study (CJ-DATS) will forge partnerships among NIDA, researchers, and practitioners to provide evidence-based treatment services.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse has awarded $2 million to fund research on inhalant abuse, focusing on epidemiology, risk factors, and health consequences. The new studies aim to address the severe lack of research-based information on this widespread problem affecting young children.
Researchers aim to make substance abuse treatment more accessible and effective in community settings by adapting existing therapies. The NIDA initiative tests innovative approaches, including brief family therapy, computer-based training, and community reinforcement methods.
A study found that patients with less severe drug problems at the start of treatment achieved better outcomes, regardless of treatment type or duration. Patients who remained in treatment had improved results compared to those who relapsed.
Researchers found a significant association between cocaine use and coronary calcium in a study of 139 adults. The study suggests that cocaine may play a role in the development of subclinical atherosclerosis, highlighting the importance of strategies to reduce drug abuse and prevent cardiovascular disease.
A study found that bupropion significantly reduced withdrawal symptoms and increased abstention rates from smoking. The medication also decreased negative mood in participants, which was more strongly related to relapse.
Effective strategies for quitting smoking exist, and clinicians can use evidence-based approaches to promote treatment of nicotine dependence, including patient assurance, low-tar cigarettes, FDA-approved medications, and awareness about adolescent nicotine use.
Research reported in this supplement describes how marijuana affects nearly every organ system, including cognitive function, heart rate, and respiratory health. The findings add to evidence that marijuana use is linked to various health hazards.
Researchers found that the average economic cost of residential treatment was $4,912, while the average benefit was $21,329. This suggests a net benefit of $16,418, supporting the economic value of residential addiction treatment.
Buprenorphine, a medication related to morphine, has been approved for treating heroin and prescription painkiller addiction in office-based settings. Physicians will need minimum eight hours of training and obtain waiver to prescribe controlled substances.
A new agreement between NIDA and SAMHSA will facilitate the dissemination of research findings from NIDA's treatment research to practitioners across the US, enhancing treatment practices. The initiative aims to reduce the time between discovering an effective treatment and its adoption in community-based care.
Research reveals that chronic cocaine users experience a decrease in the perception of pleasure, which can contribute to addiction. New therapies may focus on blocking the elevation of brain reward thresholds produced by chronic cocaine use.
Research reveals distinct patterns of use among methamphetamine and cocaine abusers, with meth users more likely to experience attention and organizational difficulties. Cocaine users, on the other hand, tend to consume the drug primarily in the evening, leading to differences in cognitive impairment.
A study by Dr. Steven L. Batki found that methadone treatment significantly improved the completion of TB therapy in opioid-dependent patients with latent TB infection. Patients receiving standard or minimal methadone treatment had higher completion rates compared to those receiving routine care.
A 22-year study found that early adolescence and peer influences are precursors to later drug use, which leads to increased health problems. Researchers tracked over 600 youths from age 1 to 27 and found that rebelliousness, distrust of authority, and risk-taking behavior were associated with later substance abuse.
Scientists followed nearly 2,000 HIV-infected patients with varying levels of hepatitis C exposure. They found that exposure to hepatitis C did not increase risk of death or AIDS progression but was associated with lower antiretroviral therapy prescriptions, which may lead to increased mortality rates in this group.
A study by NIH/National Institute on Drug Abuse found that integrated medical and substance abuse treatment significantly increased patient continuation rates. Over half of patients who received comprehensive care entered outpatient substance abuse programs, compared to just 2.4% of those receiving standard care.
A study of 144 physicians found that treating substance-abusing patients leads to lower professional satisfaction rates compared to caring for patients with hypertension. The findings suggest that addressing physician dissatisfaction in drug abuse treatment may improve patient outcomes.
A study by the NIH/National Institute on Drug Abuse found that active cocaine users had significantly lower adherence rates to antiretroviral therapy, leading to a higher risk of viral suppression failure. The study suggests that interventions should include assessing and treating cocaine use in patients with HIV infection.
A study of 373 intravenous drug users found significant reductions in emergency department use among those using needle-exchange programs, including Hispanics, men, and those with mental illness. The study suggests that needle-exchange-based health care services can reduce emergency department use among high-risk IDUs.
Researchers found less gray matter in select brain regions of chronic cocaine users compared to controls. This decrease may contribute to behaviors such as impulsive decision-making and risk-taking. Understanding these effects can help develop strategies to reverse and restore normal brain function.
Research finds significant cognitive impairments in crack-dependent and crack-and-alcohol-dependent individuals after 6 weeks and 6 months of abstinence. The largest effects were found in executive function and spatial processing assessments.
Researchers used PET scans to measure changes in dopamine during food and neutral stimulation. Food stimulation increased dopamine in the dorsal striatum but not in the ventral striatum, suggesting a role in food motivation beyond reward effects.
Researchers found that naltrexone increased the antiviral activity of AZT and indinavir when added to cell cultures containing these drugs. Naltrexone targets infected cells rather than the virus itself, a novel approach to HIV treatment.
Following the 9/11 attacks, a study found that nearly one-third of respondents increased their use of alcohol, marijuana, or cigarettes, with the largest increase in alcohol consumption. The study also found that people experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression were more likely to engage in substance abuse.
A NIH-funded study found that family-based interventions can save an average of $119,633 in avoided costs for society per case prevented. The Iowa Strengthening Families Program and Preparing for the Drug Free Years intervention programs were effective in reducing adolescent alcohol use.
Researchers have made significant discoveries about the molecular mechanisms underlying addiction, memory formation, and brain plasticity. A key molecule called AP1 has been found to play a crucial role in controlling synaptic changes, which are more extensive than previously thought and resemble those induced by real experience.
Recent studies show that methamphetamine acts on the same brain mechanisms as cocaine and alcohol, disrupting dopamine receptors and glucose metabolism. Researchers found damage to brain cells may recover after prolonged abstinence from the drug.
Scientists have discovered a process in the brain's cannabinoid system that may lead to new medications preventing relapse to cocaine use. Researchers found blocking this receptor can prevent rats from seeking cocaine after exposure to cues or stress, offering hope for developing new treatments.
A new therapy has been found to be effective in helping women overcome their concerns about gaining weight when quitting smoking. The study, published in Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, found that 21% of women who received therapy had completely quit smoking with no relapses.
A large-scale study evaluated community-based treatment programs for adolescents, finding significant reductions in drug use and improved mental health outcomes. The study also identified the importance of minimum length of stay in treatment for optimal results.
Researchers found that after stopping cocaine use, individuals become more sensitive to drug-associated environmental cues, leading to increased cravings and a higher risk of relapse. The study suggests that treatment programs must consider this persistence of craving beyond the acute withdrawal phase.
Researchers found a correlation between lower dopamine receptor availability and higher BMI in severely obese individuals compared to control subjects. Exercise is recommended as the most practical application for improving dopamine receptors and reducing pathological overeating.
Research highlights ethnoracial differences in nicotine dependence among adolescent African Americans, suggesting culturally-relevant cessation treatment. Tobacco use disproportionately affects African Americans, increasing risk of smoking-related health issues.
Researchers found that TV PSAs targeting teens with high sensation-seeking traits reduced their marijuana use by at least 26.7%. The campaigns also reversed the trend of more teens using marijuana as they get older.
A new study assesses the effects of therapeutic doses of oral Ritalin on dopamine levels in healthy, adult male subjects, revealing increased dopamine levels and potential improvement in attention and focus for ADHD symptoms.
The Walking A Good Path calendar is an inspirational and educational resource developed by NIDA and American Indian organizations. The calendar shares current science-based information on drug abuse, addiction, prevention, and treatment, highlighting the health risks and effective strategies for Native American communities.
NIDA will sponsor a series of satellite symposia at the Society for Neuroscience annual meeting, focusing on NIDA neuroscience directions, synaptic vesicle trafficking, and minority scholars research opportunities. The symposia will bring together top researchers to discuss cutting-edge neurological research.
The National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network has expanded to include 11 regional research centers and nearly 70 community-based treatment programs. The five newly funded centers will receive $11 million over five years, bringing the total funding for all 11 components to $121 million.
A recent study found that treatments like levomethadyl acetate (LAAM) and buprenorphine were more effective in treating heroin addiction than low-dose methadone. The study showed significant reductions in heroin use for patients on LAAM, buprenorphine, or high-dose methadone.
A capitated benefit broadened covered services and improved integration among providers, increasing access rates by 50-70% and nearly doubling statewide. The Oregon experience may serve as a model for other states to improve access to substance abuse treatment for Medicaid clients.
The meeting aims to facilitate moving drug addiction research into clinical practice, with discussions on using research in real-life settings and forging partnerships. Presentations will cover topics such as the effects of drugs on the brain, gender issues in treatment, and innovations in medication development.
Researchers at the National Institute on Drug Abuse found that squirrel monkeys will self-administer intravenous injections of THC, a psychoactive compound in marijuana, in doses comparable to those used by humans. This study suggests that marijuana has similar abuse potential as other addictive substances like cocaine and heroin.
Researchers analyzed data from over 22,000 smokers and found that teenagers, women, and whites experience higher rates of nicotine dependency symptoms. The study suggests that these differences in sensitivity to nicotine may reflect varying thresholds for determining nicotine dependence among different groups.
The NIDA Clinical Toolbox provides comprehensive science-based materials for drug abuse counselors, including therapy manuals, counseling approaches, and research reports. This resource aims to revolutionize treatment options for patients in community-level clinical settings.
A study published in Archives of Internal Medicine found that participants who received auricular acupuncture had a higher likelihood of being free from cocaine during treatment. Over half of those receiving acupuncture tested negative for the substance at the end of the eight-week trial, compared to 23.5% of control group participants.
Researchers found that methoxsalen inhibits CYP2A6 enzyme, increasing nicotine levels and reducing smoking desire. The medication was shown to improve oral nicotine replacement effectiveness in reducing cravings and puff counts.