Articles tagged with Cocaine
Researchers have discovered a protein called methyl CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) that may control the addictive impact of cocaine in the brain. MeCP2 interacts with microRNA to regulate an individual's motivation to consume cocaine, and its influence can reduce vulnerability to addiction.
A new study explores pharmacological strategies to reduce cocaine self-administration in animals, finding that dysregulation of mGlu2/3 and mGlu5 receptors may play a role in the transition to cocaine addiction. The research suggests that targeting mGlu2/3 receptors could be effective for treating severe cocaine-addicted individuals.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have identified a specific microRNA that controls cocaine consumption and addiction. MicroRNA-212 was found to be increased in the brains of rats with extended access to cocaine, leading to reduced addictive behavior. This discovery suggests a potential new method for treating cocaine addiction.
Scientists have created an enzyme called CocE that can rapidly break down cocaine and its toxic metabolites. This breakthrough could lead to a new therapy for treating cocaine overdose, which causes over half a million emergency room visits annually.
A study found that teens with a history of crack or cocaine use are six times more likely to engage in unprotected sex, putting them at increased risk for HIV. The researchers suggest that crack cocaine appears to have a significant influence on risky teen behaviors.
Researchers found that accidental overdose deaths from cocaine use rose significantly when ambient temperature exceeded 24 degrees Celsius. The number of cocaine-related overdose deaths continued to climb as temperatures increased, due to cocaine's effect on core body temperature and cardiovascular system.
Children exposed to cocaine in the womb face negative effects, particularly on sustained attention and self-regulated behavior. However, research suggests that growth, IQ, academic achievement, and language functioning are less affected by prenatal cocaine exposure.
Adolescent exposure to cocaine or ecstasy leads to long-lasting changes that increase addictive power, persists into adulthood. The study highlights the critical stage of development in which drug consumption affects brain plasticity.
Research suggests that novelty can compete with drug-linked cues in recovering addicts, potentially helping prevent relapse. The study found that rats were more likely to visit the side where they experienced rewarding effects of cocaine when given a choice.
A recent study published in the European Heart Journal found that cocaine use is a growing public health problem in Europe, with 3.1% of sudden deaths related to the drug. The study revealed that even small amounts of cocaine can be toxic due to individual variations in body mass index, age, and other factors.
A key epigenetic process in the brain's pleasure circuits is altered by chronic cocaine exposure, contributing to an acquired preference for cocaine. By reversing this epigenetic change, researchers were able to block gene expression changes and inhibit cocaine preference.
Researchers have discovered that fruit flies can be used as a simpler and more convenient animal model for studying the effects of cocaine and other drugs on the brain. The study, published in ACS Chemical Neuroscience, found that fruit flies can accurately replicate the physiological effects of these substances.
A brain scan study found that active cocaine abusers can suppress activity in brain regions linked to drug craving when asked to inhibit their response. This suggests that clinical interventions designed to strengthen inhibitory responses could help prevent relapse and improve treatment outcomes.
A new study reveals that a high score on the 'scale of craving' and an antisocial personality type are major contributors to relapse in cocaine users. The researchers analyzed 38 patients seeking treatment for cocaine abuse, finding impulsiveness and desire for new sensations also linked to substance use.
An interdisciplinary team is developing a novel drug detection technology that uses software to analyze biomolecules and determine an individual's history of drug abuse. The system, which can characterize millions of biomolecules, has potential applications in treating addictive behavior and identifying effective new treatments.
Adult male monkeys exposed to cocaine in-utero show poor impulse control and may be more vulnerable to drug abuse than female monkeys. The study suggests that males may be more susceptible to the long-lasting behavioral and neurobiological consequences of cocaine exposure during gestation.
A longitudinal study of nearly 400 teens, half of whom were prenatally exposed to cocaine, will investigate the association between prenatal exposure and substance use, sex, and delinquent behaviors. The study aims to understand how environmental factors shape developmental outcomes and inform targeted therapeutic interventions.
A new study expands the list of hazardous chemicals in smokeless tobacco, revealing a link between snuff consumption and increased risk of oral and pancreatic cancers. The research found that users are exposed to the same amount of carcinogenic compounds as cigarette smokers, challenging the notion that smokeless tobacco is safer.
A new analysis found that cocaine contamination is widespread in US paper money, with 95% of banknotes from Washington, D.C. containing the substance. The study suggests that cocaine abuse may be on the rise in some areas and could help raise public awareness about its use.
Researchers found cocaine and heroin increase antipyrine transfer across human placental tissue, compromising barrier function. This may lead to harm from more toxic substances crossing the placenta and affecting fetal health.
Researchers find cocaine activates dopamine release in striatum, associated with increased addiction risk; potential target for treatment against addiction
A Medical College of Georgia nurse researcher has received a two-year, $147,000 grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse to investigate cocaine-related renal disease in African-Americans. The study aims to identify early signs of renal disease and develop targeted treatments for patients with cocaine addiction.
A new study examines the impact of social isolation on rats' response to cocaine, revealing that isolated male rats are more susceptible to the drug's effects. The research suggests that early isolation can alter brain sensitivity to cocaine, leading to increased sensitivity in adolescence.
A new study from Boston University School of Medicine found a genetic link between the MANEA gene, cocaine dependence, and cocaine-induced paranoia. The researchers identified six markers in the MANEA gene that are associated with an increased risk of cocaine-induced paranoia.
Researchers found that honeybees danced vigorously in response to cocaine, indicating a potential susceptibility to the substance. The bees' sensitivity to rewards was increased, and they exhibited withdrawal symptoms when the drug was withheld.
Researchers found that honey bees on cocaine exaggerate their dances, regardless of food quality or hive status. The study supports the idea that insects have a reward system motivated by feelings of pleasure.
A multi-project study will investigate how cocaine exposure during pregnancy affects maternal-infant interactions, brain development, and hormonal responses. Researchers hope to inform the development of innovative interventions for mothers struggling with substance use.
A study by Brookhaven National Laboratory found that methamphetamine's quick entry and slow clearance from the brain contribute to its long-lasting effects. The researchers used PET scans to track the drug's uptake, distribution, and clearance in healthy volunteers.
A study found associations between human NPY receptor genes and a more severe subtype of alcohol dependence, characterized by withdrawal symptoms or coexisting alcohol and cocaine dependence. The research suggests that certain genetic variants may be associated with increased risk of AD and seizures in humans.
Researchers found that excessive drug use causes increased brain connections as a defense mechanism against addiction. Boosting MEF2 protein activity may help combat addiction, according to the study.
A recent study found that cocaine-induced brain plasticity may actually defend the brain during excessive drug use, potentially limiting maladaptive behavioral responses. The research identifies MEF2 as a key regulator of structural synapse plasticity and suggests that increasing spine density in the NAc may be a compensatory mechanism.
A new UCSF study finds that rats that voluntarily use cocaine exhibit persistent cellular memories in the brain's reward center, even after several months of abstinence. This suggests that active choice plays a significant role in cocaine addiction and that environmental cues can trigger relapse.
A survey of 17 countries found that 16.2% of US adults have used cocaine in their lifetime, with 42.4% using cannabis. The study suggests that drug use is not simply related to policy and that socioeconomic factors play a significant role.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that cocaine's byproduct inhibits nerve cell development by interfering with a specific protein, cyclin A. Treatment of pregnant rats with cimetidine counteracted this inhibition, suggesting potential treatments to protect fetal brain development.
A study found that young Europeans drink and take drugs as part of deliberate sexual strategies. A third of males and a quarter of females reported using substances like cocaine, ecstasy, or cannabis to enhance sexual arousal or prolong sex. However, these behaviors were linked to increased risk-taking and regretful experiences.
Research has found a significant association between the tachykinin receptor 3 gene and both alcohol and cocaine dependence. The study, conducted in European American families, identified seven DNA sequence variations within the TACR3 gene as having a strong link to AD and co-existing cocaine dependence.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory found that increasing dopamine D2 receptor levels can reduce cocaine use in rats by 75 percent. The treatment, which involves injecting a harmless virus carrying the D2 receptor gene into the brain, has potential as an addiction therapy.
Adult male monkeys exposed to cocaine in the womb show altered function of dopamine 3 receptors, linked to increased vulnerability to drug abuse. The study's findings have implications for human cocaine overdose victims with higher D3 receptor numbers.
A study found that subordinate monkeys showed pronounced decreased brain activity in areas involved with stress, anxiety, reward, and emotion when faced with a stressful situation. In contrast, dominant monkeys were less likely to choose cocaine after the same encounter.
A recent study suggests that cocaine's impact on brain metabolism may be a key factor in its addictive nature. The research, conducted at Brookhaven National Laboratory, found that the drug had significant effects on brain metabolism beyond just dopamine, even in mice lacking the gene for dopamine transporters.
Chronic cocaine exposure increases histone deacetylase 5, activating genes associated with addiction and depression. Stress also reduces HDAC5 function, leading to depressive-like symptoms in mice.
Researchers found that cocaine-addicted individuals have compromised sensitivity to monetary rewards, which may explain why they struggle to change their drug-taking behavior. The study suggests that this altered sensitivity to reward could be a key factor in the difficulty of modifying drug-taking behavior.
A study by Brookhaven National Laboratory found that D-cycloserine reduced cocaine-seeking behavior in mice previously trained to expect cocaine. The antibiotic-like drug showed promise in extinguishing cravings and reducing relapse risk.
Researchers found that recreational cocaine users took longer to inhibit responses than non-users, suggesting an impairment in controlling unwanted actions. This impairment has serious implications for personal and societal functioning, including the potential emergence of addiction.
A recent study found that cocaine use in the US has decreased primarily among those with higher education levels, while non-high school graduates have shown little change. This disparity is attributed to better access to health information and resources among more educated individuals.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have developed a new treatment that effectively counters the cardiovascular effects of cocaine. The treatment successfully lowers both heart rate and blood pressure, alleviating symptoms commonly experienced by cocaine users.
Researchers found that prenatal cocaine exposure in zebrafish altered neuronal development and acutely dysregulated the expression of circadian genes, including melatonin. Circadian factors may provide new therapeutic strategies to counteract developmental effects of prenatal cocaine exposure.
A case report in The Lancet highlights the dangers of continued cocaine abuse on the heart, leading to dilated cardiomyopathy. After treatment, the patient's condition improved significantly, showing promise for recovery with abstinence.
A study published in Archives of General Psychiatry found a significant association between cocaine and amphetamine abuse and an increased risk of stroke. The use of these stimulant drugs may raise blood pressure and contribute to narrowing blood vessels, leading to an increased risk of hemorrhagic and ischemic strokes.
Young adults who abuse amphetamines are five times more likely to have a hemorrhagic stroke than non-abusers, while cocaine abuse doubles their likelihood of having either a hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke. The study highlights the dangers of methamphetamine use among young people.
A recent study by Vanderbilt University Medical Center researchers found that prenatal cocaine exposure in rabbits causes a long-lasting displacement of dopamine receptors in certain brain cells. This effect alters their ability to function normally and may lead to subtle cognitive impairments, attention deficits, and emotional problems.
Researchers found that cocaine affects dopamine and glutamate receptors, interfering with normal activation of glutamate receptors. This interaction between D2R and NR2B subunits is critical for mediating cocaine's effect on motor responses.
New data from University of Florida researchers reveal a sharp increase in cocaine-related deaths in Florida, with nearly twice the number of deaths per 100,000 people in 2000 compared to 2005. The trend is particularly concerning in college towns and wealthy communities.
Researchers identified a key step in cocaine-induced heart enlargement, where high concentrations of the drug lead to increased calcium within heart muscle cells, prompting the accumulation of primitive fetal proteins. This process can cause irregular heart rhythms and sudden death, affecting young people between 18-29 years old.
Research using PET imaging shows a significant correlation between initial dopamine receptor levels and self-administered cocaine use rates. Lower receptor levels are associated with higher cocaine use rates, suggesting that increasing D2 receptors may alleviate addiction.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have identified two cases of 'broken heart syndrome,' a rare condition that mimics a heart attack, resulting from opioid withdrawal and cocaine use. The findings highlight the importance of cautious medication management and patient education to prevent serious complications.
Researchers genetically altered mice to resist cocaine's effects, discovering that blocking dopamine transporters is crucial for producing a high. The study aims to find drugs that prevent cocaine from binding to transporters while allowing the transporter protein to function.
Regular exercise helps patients with permanent atrial fibrillation (AF) maintain a regular heartbeat. Moderate physical activity decreased the patients' ventricular rate by 12 percent in those with chronic AF. Researchers also explored new pacemaker technology using acoustic energy, found to be safe and effective.
Research found that mothers with prenatal cocaine exposure reported high symptoms of depression and behavioral problems in children. However, these issues were more closely linked to maternal depression than the prenatal exposure itself.
A study at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that cocaine cravings are linked to brain response, particularly in the mesolimbic dopamine system. Stronger addictions show altered sensitivity to dopamine receptors D1 and D2, which can help understand addiction mechanisms.