Articles tagged with Drug Addiction
Researchers have discovered that stimulating one part of the brain with laser light can wipe away addictive behavior in rats and turn non-addicted rats into compulsive cocaine seekers. The study suggests a new therapy using transcranial magnetic stimulation could be effective for humans, offering hope for treating cocaine addiction.
A NIH study found that stimulating the brain's prefrontal cortex can reduce compulsive cocaine-seeking behavior. The study, conducted in rats, suggests a promising treatment approach for addiction.
Researchers genetically engineered E. coli bacteria to metabolize caffeine, enabling its use for decontamination of wastewater and production of medications for asthma. This breakthrough could also lead to the development of a sensor to measure caffeine levels in beverages.
Researchers from Scripps Research Institute have received a $10M NIH grant to develop anti-smoking drug candidates. The team aims to create novel compounds that target hypocretin-1 receptors, which play a critical role in maintaining tobacco addiction.
Despite declining smoking prevalence, people with mental health disorders remain significantly more likely to smoke and are less likely to receive cessation support from their GP. GPs can effectively intervene with nicotine replacement therapy and other medications, but often miss opportunities due to unequal consultation rates.
The UK government's decision to promote abstinence for drug users is being challenged by experts who claim it prioritizes cost savings over scientific evidence. The 'recovery model' encourages patients to reduce and stop all addictive drugs, despite overwhelming evidence showing that maintenance therapy is more effective.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have validated a questionnaire to assess youth participation in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)-related helping activities. The Service to Others in Sobriety (SOS) questionnaire shows promise in identifying youths at risk of relapse and promoting recovery.
A recent CAMH Monitor survey found that 9% of young adults in Ontario drive after using cannabis, compared to 6% who drive after drinking. The survey also revealed declining rates of non-medical opioid use and increasing concerns around mental health.
A breakthrough in drug development has led to the creation of a vaccine against methamphetamine, which could potentially treat meth addiction. The vaccine, called MH6, was tested on rats and found to be highly effective at blocking the typical effects of meth intoxication.
A Vanderbilt University study found that a widely-used diabetes medication can reduce the rewarding effects of cocaine, potentially offering new hope for addiction treatment. The findings suggest that this medication could be effective in treating other stimulant addictions as well.
Pathological gamblers exhibit abnormally increased reward expectancy, leading to overoptimistic expectations of gambling outcomes. Brain activity studies reveal a higher activation in reward areas when expecting potential wins, contributing to the addictive mechanism.
A Florida State University researcher is studying the unique ability shared between histone deacetylase inhibitors and psychostimulant drugs to control gene expression. The goal is to root out dormant HIV cells evading treatment and develop new treatments, potentially leading to an HIV cure.
A recent brain study found that rats overeat chocolates due to an opium-like chemical in the brain, leading to increased desire and impulse to consume rewards. This discovery provides insight into human binge-eating tendencies and addiction.
A centralized prescription network, PharmaNet, implemented in British Columbia pharmacies reduced inappropriate prescriptions for opioid analgesics and benzodiazepines. The study found a 33-49% reduction in potentially inappropriate prescriptions for opioids and benzodiazepines in patients on social assistance and seniors.
A GW professor is studying the correlation between genetics and susceptibility to drug abuse. He will use genomics expertise to investigate morphine addiction in mouse models, focusing on changes in brain genes that may lead to addiction.
Scientists have discovered a key mechanism in the body's immune system that amplifies opioid addiction. Laboratory studies show that the drug (+)-naloxone selectively blocks this immune-addiction response, reducing cravings for opioid drugs without targeting the brain's wiring.
The US Food and Drug Administration has introduced a new Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) to manage the risks of misuse and addiction associated with long-acting and extended-release opioids. The plan includes requirements for prescriber continuing education and patient counseling, aiming to reduce opioid abuse in the US.
Researchers identified a brain pathway imbalance linked to addictive behavior, which may also underlie less severe compulsive behaviors. The study's findings could lead to better understanding and monitoring of various compulsive behaviors.
A University of Iowa study using fMRI images shows the anterior cingulate cortex fires with equal intensity during self-control tasks, while the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex fires less intensely after prior exertion. This depletion can lead to impulsive decisions, making therapies that focus on implementation stages more effective.
Training participants to inhibit simple movements reduced risk-taking in a simulated gambling situation, with effects lasting at least two hours. The study suggests that controlling motor responses can influence high-level decision-making, paving the way for potential treatments for addictions and impulse-control disorders.
A study by Boston University School of Medicine researchers found that patients receiving take-home methadone doses had 74% lower odds of hospitalization compared to those not receiving these doses. The study suggests that successful addiction treatment, including better overall health and reduced healthcare utilization, is a key facto...
The International Journal of Alcohol and Drug Research (IJADR) aims to address the lack of addiction research in low- and middle-income countries by publishing peer-reviewed papers on cross-cultural perspectives. The journal offers a mentoring program for non-native English researchers, further enhancing its unique features.
A new vaccine against cocaine addiction uses the body's own immune system to prevent the high, as demonstrated by a molecular imaging technique. The vaccine, called dAd5GNE, combines a cocaine-like molecule with part of the common cold virus, inducing antibodies that bind cocaine in blood and prevent it from entering the brain.
Researchers from Norway created a scale to measure Facebook addiction, finding it more common among younger users and those with anxiety and social insecurity. The study also reveals that people with high extraversion scores are at greater risk of developing delayed sleep-wake rhythms.
Researchers found a link between bingeing on fat and cocaine-seeking behavior in rats, indicating that conditions promoting excessive behavior towards one substance can increase the probability of excessive behavior towards another. This study may shed light on the factors that promote substance abuse and addiction.
Researchers found that sex-deprived fruit flies prefer alcohol to satisfy a physical reward, which could lead to understanding of human addiction causes. The study's findings could also inform the development of treatments for substance abuse in humans.
Researchers found a new potential target, alpha3beta4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, which plays a role in addictive properties of cocaine, morphine, and nicotine. AT-1001, a highly selective compound, disrupts addiction processes and reduces nicotine withdrawal symptoms.
A report in Mayo Clinic Proceedings calls for abstinence-based recovery for HCPs with opioid addiction due to concerns over drug diversion and abuse. The authors argue that abstinence is the criterion standard for HCPs in recovery and recommend delaying their return to clinical practice until studies demonstrate safety.
A new editorial aims to clarify drug and alcohol addiction terminology by defining current treatments' modes of action and targets. The authors suggest that a better understanding of these elements would aid in the development of more effective treatments, particularly for opioid and tobacco addictions.
A new brain imaging study found that stress robustly activates areas of the brain associated with craving in cocaine-dependent women, while drug cues activate similar regions in men. This suggests that men and women with cocaine dependence may benefit from different treatment approaches.
A recent study by Harvard School of Public Health found that nicotine replacement therapies are no more effective in helping smokers quit than quitting on their own. The study suggests that the FDA should only approve medications proven to be effective in long-term smoking cessation, and lower nicotine levels to reduce addiction.
A new study by researchers at Duke University and Princeton University suggests that a person's brain can disengage from social interaction when encountering individuals considered 'disgusting', leading to 'dehumanized perception' and a lack of empathy. This failure can contribute to human atrocities, torture, and genocide.
Researchers found a rare gene called NRXN3 plays an important role in brain development and neuron functions, linked to impulsivity and substance abuse. The study suggests this genetic connection may be more prevalent among men than women.
A recent study has found that PROMETAT, a popular but controversial treatment for methamphetamine addiction, is no more effective than placebo in reducing methamphetamine use. The study, funded by the company behind the treatment, Hythiam, suggests that the program may not be an effective solution for those struggling with addiction.
A long-term study of VIVITROL, a medication for opioid dependence, found sustained efficacy over 18 months in patients who received the treatment in combination with psychosocial support. The study showed improvements in opioid-free urine screens and reductions in opioid craving.
Researchers identified the orbitofrontal and anterior cingulate cortex as key players in impaired decision making, leading to addictive and compulsive behavior. The study's findings may pave the way for more targeted treatments for substance abuse and obsessive-compulsive disorders.
Researchers at UCLA discovered that a gene variant can predict the success of naltrexone treatment for alcoholism in Asians. The OPRM1 gene variant is associated with better clinical outcomes when taking naltrexone, making it an effective medication option for this population.
A group of researchers argue that ranking drugs by harm is conceptually flawed, as it combines individual harms and societal impacts. They propose more refined tools for policymakers to assess the likely changes in different types of harm associated with each change in drug policy.
Researchers found that cocaine addicts prioritize immediate rewards over delayed ones, regardless of the commodity involved. This study has implications for developing drug treatment programs based on incentives for delaying drug use.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that frequent tanning bed users exhibit brain activity and blood flow patterns similar to those of people addicted to drugs or alcohol. The study suggests that the rewarding effects of tanning beds may lead to compulsive behavior despite the increased risk of skin cancer.
A study found that obese and non-obese women experienced reduced calorie consumption when exposed to the same foods in different ways, suggesting meal monotony can lead to decreased caloric intake. The results support the idea that reducing food variety may be an effective strategy for weight loss.
Clinical research identifies 'food addicts' with increased binge-eating disorder, depression, and impulsive personality traits. The study proposes personalized treatment approaches for obesity.
Joanna Fowler, a senior chemist at Brookhaven Lab, has been chosen to receive the Distinguished Women in Chemistry/Chemical Engineering Award. Her research focuses on developing radiotracers to measure changes in brain circuits disrupted by drug addiction and other brain diseases.
Researchers discovered widespread loss of grey matter in frontal lobe of cocaine users, associated with greater compulsivity and attention problems. The study also found enlarged basal ganglia reward system, suggesting potential inherited vulnerability to addiction.
The Scripps Research Institute has received a $2.2 million grant to develop novel therapeutics for treating substance abuse. The researchers aim to disrupt the addictive cycle by targeting the kappa opioid receptor, which plays a critical role in drug addiction.
A study funded by NIH has found a brain pathway that could be targeted to help people quit smoking without gaining weight. The research identifies a specific subclass of nicotinic receptor involved in nicotine's ability to reduce food intake.
Researchers found that people's brains become distracted by previously associated rewarding objects, such as money, even when they're not important in the task. This effect persists for weeks and is linked to impulsivity levels.
A new study found that nicotine can induce long-lasting changes in the brain's reward system, similar to cocaine. The researchers discovered that a receptor called D5 dopamine plays a key role in this process.
A new study by neurobiologist Hitoshi Morikawa found that repeated ethanol exposure enhances synaptic plasticity in a key area of the brain. This increased capacity for learning, or 'conditionability,' may help explain why alcoholics become more receptive to forming habits and memories related to food, music, and social situations.
A two-year treatment regimen with Naltrexone and complementary treatments like group therapy can keep 80% of gamblers 'gamble-free' over a four-year period. Gambling addiction is a chronic disorder requiring careful monitoring and holistic treatments to avoid relapse.
A study by Brookhaven National Laboratory found that cocaine users initially respond more intensely to drug-related images than non-users, but this response diminishes with recent use. The researchers suggest that this may lead to compulsive drug use as a way to compensate for reduced motivation.
A new study from the University of Gothenburg found that people with certain genetic changes in the ghrelin gene consume more sugar than those without. Trials using rats also showed reduced sugar consumption when ghrelin was blocked, suggesting a strong link between ghrelin and addictive behaviors
Researchers at the Academy of Finland have developed a new targeted drug that slows down nicotine metabolism, aiming to aid in smoking reduction therapy. The drug inhibits the CYP2A6 enzyme, which metabolizes nicotine, and is being explored as a potential alternative to traditional anti-smoking treatments.
A new study found that naltrexone, a medication for alcohol dependence, is more effective in women and those with a specific genetic variation. This discovery could lead to personalized medicine and improved treatment outcomes for patients.
A collaborative care approach with nurse care managers significantly improves treatment outcomes for patients with opioid addiction. The study found that 51% of patients achieved successful treatment at 12 months and 93% were no longer using illicit opioids after three months.
A study at Brookhaven National Laboratory found that genetic factors and the length of time someone abuses drugs can impact brain structure, particularly in areas related to decision-making and learning. This research has implications for treatment strategies and suggests that curtailed drug use may be protective against brain changes.
A recent special issue of Neuron examines the complexities of addiction research, highlighting genetic vulnerability, neuronal transmission, and behavioral treatments. The study reveals profound changes in behavior and suggests that therapeutic strategies should focus on reversing cognitive deficits.
A study by UBC researchers found that US patients search for prescription drugs on government-run websites, while Canadians are directed to Wikipedia or industry-sponsored sites. The discrepancy highlights the importance of verifying online drug information.
Researchers found a discrete brain pathway that regulates vulnerability to nicotine addiction and identified the nicotinic receptor subunit α5 as a potential target for anti-smoking therapies. The study suggests boosting this subunit's expression may help individuals resist nicotine's addictive properties.
Research from Case Western Reserve University shows that helping others in the AA program can lead to improved sobriety and reduced depression. The 'helper therapy principle' helps individuals with a similar condition, reducing egocentrism and selfishness.