Articles tagged with Drug Addiction
A new study published in Neuropsychopharmacology found that bupropion significantly reduced methamphetamine cravings and diminished the 'high' associated with its use. The research suggests that bupropion prevents methamphetamine from entering brain cells, reducing feelings of euphoria.
A new targeted drug has been developed to prevent long-term changes in brain cells that contribute to addiction. The peptide works by tricking cellular machinery into pulling the glutamate receptor back onto the surface, restoring normal communication between neurons.
The NIH has renewed a network focused on understanding how genes influence drug responses, aiming to create personalized therapies with fewer side effects. The network will explore various genetic factors affecting medication efficacy and toxicity across nine NIH components.
A study by Ohio State University researchers found that a genetic variation in the mu opioid receptor gene may make brain cells more vulnerable to addictive drugs. The A118G variation resulted in reduced protein production and altered mRNA regulation, potentially increasing an individual's susceptibility to addiction.
Researchers found reduced MAO A levels in smokers' lungs, which may contribute to physiological effects of smoking like changes in blood pressure and pulmonary function. Smokers also retained tracer chemicals longer and had lower delivery into arterial blood supply.
Research by Dr Andrew Lawrence and Cameron McPherson found adolescent rats exposed to amphetamine had a more sensitised reaction when re-administered as adults, increasing the risk of heart attack. The study suggests teenage experimentation with drugs may have long-term effects on brain function.
A study published in Addictive Behaviors suggests that shame, not guilt, is related to substance-abuse problems. The research found that individuals prone to shame may use alcohol and other drugs to cope with feelings of self-blame, while those who experience guilt are less likely to develop substance-use problems.
The study found that gamblers and alcoholics have unique personality traits affecting their cravings, with gambling craving linked to positive emotions and alcohol craving tied to negative emotions. The research suggests that individuals with distinct emotional regulation patterns are more vulnerable to addiction.
A study by Yale University researchers found office-based buprenorphine treatment reaches individuals who are unable to use methadone, with key demographic differences including age, sex, and employment status. The treatment has shown success in reaching patients with lower rates of injection drug use and hepatitis C infection.
A study by Ohio State University found that benzodiazepines are widely prescribed for sleep disorders, with nearly two-thirds of visits resulting in medication prescriptions. The study also showed disparities in prescription patterns based on age, insurance type, and physician specialty.
A new study at Rockefeller University shows that contingency management treatment significantly increases patient success rates and improves the morale of clinic staff and administration. The treatment method uses positive reinforcement to encourage constructive actions towards recovery.
A randomized, controlled study evaluated four behavioral drug abuse treatments for reducing methamphetamine use and risky sexual behavior among gay and bisexual methamphetamine addicts. Treatment produced immediate, three-fold reductions in both methamphetamine use and risky sexual behavior.
Researchers have identified a potential therapeutic application for the new drug Nifrolidine in treating nicotine addiction and Alzheimer's disease. The study found that Nifrolidine binds to specific brain receptors implicated in these conditions, offering hope for early diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have developed a computational model of addiction that connects learning theories with neurophysiological mechanisms. The model uses temporal-difference reinforcement learning to simulate how addictive drugs impact brain function and behavior.
A small-scale study of GVG, a drug approved for epilepsy in Mexico, found that it can help patients with methamphetamine and cocaine addiction stay abstinent for up to four weeks without visual side effects. The results are promising, but more large-scale studies are needed to confirm the treatment's efficacy.
An imaging study found a structural difference in the brains of cocaine addicts, with the amygdala being smaller. This could reflect impaired judgement and contribute to the addictive behavior.
Researchers found a significant reduction in amygdala volume in cocaine addicts compared to nonaddicts, suggesting a possible predisposition to addiction. The study's findings indicate that the condition may pre-exist addiction and could be linked to difficulties in identifying potential negative outcomes.
Researchers found GVG effective in reducing drug use in heavy users for up to four consecutive weeks. No subjects developed visual field defects despite high doses used.
A CU-Boulder team found strong evidence that dopamine in the brain helps people implicitly learn to make choices that lead to good outcomes. Dopamine levels can influence how patients with Parkinson's disease make decisions, according to the study.
A UCSF study reveals that long-term medication and counseling can help smokers quit successfully, with 50% of participants abstinent after one year. The treatment program combined antidepressant nortriptyline with counseling for extended periods, showing better results compared to short-term options.
A new study demonstrates that GVG significantly blocks toluene-seeking behavior in rats, suggesting potential hope for treating inhalant abuse. The findings extend the value of GVG as a treatment for addiction and show promise in treating this growing problem among adolescents.
Researchers found that combining counseling with baclofen reduced cocaine use in chronic users, suggesting a potential treatment for cocaine dependence. The medication targets dopamine release in the brain, reducing cravings.
Research reveals that exposure to food stimulates increased brain metabolism in areas affected by drug addiction. The study found higher metabolism in regions responsible for hunger and reward, suggesting a possible link between constant food stimuli and obesity.
A recent study published in PNAS found that single cocaine exposure can increase both morphine preference and kappa-opioid receptor agonist aversion in rats. This suggests the existence of opposing brain circuits involved in drug craving and avoidance, with potential implications for treating addiction by modulating these pathways.
A new long-acting form of buprenorphine has been shown to provide relief from heroin withdrawal symptoms and reduce the effects of test opioids for up to 6 weeks. This breakthrough treatment may increase patient engagement, ease treatment burden, and reduce the risk of misuse.
A study found that buprenorphine significantly reduced cocaine and heroin use in individuals addicted to both drugs. Participants who received the highest dose of buprenorphine experienced a 95% decrease in cocaine metabolite levels, while those who received the lower dose saw a 92% decrease.
Researchers have discovered a chemical modification of the dopamine transporter that enables amphetamine-induced dopamine release. This finding may lead to the development of treatments for drug addiction by targeting this molecular mechanism.
A study published in the Journal of Interpersonal Violence found that women who frequent certain kinds of bars and engage in specific behaviors are more likely to experience bar-related aggression. The research, which included 198 high-risk women aged 29, also identified key bar characteristics associated with aggression.
Researchers have discovered a molecule that links drug-induced plasticity in one part of the brain to a mechanism underlying learning and memory in another. The study found that a specific protein, PSD-95, plays a crucial role in addiction and may also be involved in learning and memory.
Researchers have discovered a brain receptor, GABA-A, that can be manipulated to control the switch between addicted and non-addicted states in the brain. By controlling this switch pharmacologically, it may be possible to take drug addicts back to a non-addicted state in a relatively short period of time.
A recent study found that a new, experimental injectable sustained-release depot formulation of buprenorphine is safe and effective in treating narcotic addiction. The treatment provides long-term benefits, reducing opioid withdrawal symptoms and sensitivity to opioids.
Researchers discovered that methamphetamine withdrawal is associated with significant brain changes in individuals with mood disorders. The study used PET scans to compare glucose metabolism in the brains of methamphetamine abusers and non-abusers, revealing lower glucose levels in regions linked to depressive disorders.
A randomized, double-blind study found that baclofen significantly reduced cocaine use in recovering addicts when used with substance abuse counseling. The study monitored 70 outpatients for 16 weeks and showed a decrease in recent cocaine use compared to the placebo group.
The Lancet editorial calls for a complete ban on smoking in the UK, citing health risks and addiction concerns. If implemented, such a ban could lead to 300,000 quitters and save 150,000 lives annually.
A study combining behavioral family counseling and naltrexone found that men in this group were more likely to take the medication daily, leading to higher success rates. Men in individual-based treatment showed lower compliance with naltrexone, resulting in fewer days of sobriety during treatment.
The study found that eight out of twelve patients achieved periods of abstinence of more than 28 consecutive days, and all eight were drug-free at the time of publication. Patients reported significant reductions in craving and improvements in self-esteem, family relationships, and work activities.
A study led by NYU Langone Health found that epilepsy drug GVG helped hard-core cocaine addicts stay clean for over 60 days. Forty percent of participants achieved sobriety without leaving their environment, gaining weight and living with their families.
Dr. Nora D. Volkow, the first woman to lead NIDA, has made significant contributions to understanding addiction through imaging studies. Her extensive publication record and awards recognize her as a leading expert in the field of drug addiction research.
Researchers at Yale University found that adolescents are more vulnerable to addictions due to brain development changes. Brain circuits involved in motivation and addiction undergo rapid changes during adolescence, leading to impulsive behaviors and increased risk of substance abuse.
The 36th Annual AAS Conference will address key themes such as suicide among adolescents, the 'Graying of America,' and male resistance to seeking help. The conference aims to reduce suicide rates through collaboration and expertise from researchers, clinicians, and specialists across various populations.
Research suggests that the mammalian ventral tegmental area plays a critical role in mediating both rewarding and aversive properties of nicotine. Blockade of mesolimbic dopamine signaling induced by neuroleptic medications may selectively block the aversive effects of nicotine, increasing vulnerability to its addictive properties.
Researchers found a significant increase in Delta FosB protein in the striatum of adolescent mice following chronic exposure to psychostimulants. This adaptation may contribute to increased sensitivity to addiction and therapeutic use of these medications in adolescents.
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.
Scientists have identified a potential new target in the brain for anxiety-reducing medications, which may provide less disruptive alternatives to existing sedatives. By inhibiting a specific enzyme protein kinase C (PKC-epsilon), researchers hope to develop new treatments that can modulate GABA function without addictive side effects.
A recent survey of over 100 academic medical centers found that anesthesiology faculty members and residents have substance abuse rates of 1% and 1.6%, respectively, during their personal time. The most commonly abused medication is fentanyl, often discovered through overdose or by tracking dispensed drugs.
Researchers found that CREB activity in the nucleus accumbens controls behavioral responses to emotional stimuli, including those related to drug rewards and anxiety. The study suggests a potential link between addiction and depression, implicating CREB's role in brain reward regions.
A study by Princeton University researchers found that rats who binge on sugar exhibited telltale signs of withdrawal, including 'the shakes' and changes in brain chemistry, when the effects of the sweets were blocked. This suggests that sugar may trigger production of the brain's natural opioids, leading to addiction-like behavior.
A team of scientists discovered a brain signal that encourages us to continue working on tasks to receive rewards. Abnormal activity in this signal may contribute to conditions like obsessive-compulsive disorder or drug abuse.
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 mere sight or smell of food spikes levels of dopamine in the brain, a key player in addiction. The study also showed that certain medications can amplify weak dopamine signals, potentially helping with weight management.
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.
A brain-imaging study has shed light on the reasons behind inhalant abuse by revealing how toluene moves into the brain rapidly and affects reward centers. The study shows that toluene spreads more generally to the entire brain before clearing the body, which may explain its addictive potential.
A functional polymorphism within the m-opioid receptor gene has been linked to an increased risk of substance abuse, including alcohol and other substances. The study found that individuals with this genetic variation were more likely to develop addiction and engage in risky behavior.
Researchers found that certain drugs, including alcohol and cocaine, increase beta endorphin levels in the nucleus accumbens, a brain region influencing addiction. This discovery may lead to the development of medications targeting this system to help individuals overcome addiction.
A University of Michigan study found that female rats exposed to estrogen and cocaine showed increased sensitization, leading to faster craving and lower doses. The effects persisted even after the hormone was removed.
Researchers found that topiramate, an anticonvulsant drug, can block nicotine-triggered changes in brain chemistry. The study suggests that topiramate has potential for treating nicotine addiction by reducing the neurochemical activity associated with pleasure and reward.
Researchers report a successful heroin-assisted treatment programme that reduces infections, mental disorders, and crime among chronically addicted heroin addicts. The six-year study found 86% of patients remained in the programme for three months, with improved social functioning and reduced illicit drug use.
A low-dose nicotine patch was found to be effective in controlling the severity and frequency of motor tics in children with Tourette's syndrome. The study showed that patients with active nicotine patches did better than those with control patches, even when receiving reduced doses of haloperidol.
Neuroscientists identified brain regions activated by eating chocolate's rewarding and aversive aspects, offering insights into addiction and eating disorders. The study provides a novel model for understanding addiction using primary reinforcers like fat and sweet.
Researchers found that using rewards with naltrexone significantly improved treatment retention and naltrexone compliance. Patients who earned vouchers for drug-free behavior saw an increase in these outcomes.