Articles tagged with Cocaine
Researchers found that cocaine increases blood pressure by stimulating the heart to cause rapid heartbeat and increased cardiac output. This elevation can lead to damage of vital organs such as the heart, brain, and kidney. The study's findings may lead to new treatment strategies for cocaine-induced blood pressure elevation.
A study conducted by Yale University has shown that a cocaine vaccine can significantly reduce cravings and addiction in patients who abuse the drug. The vaccine was found to be safe and effective in increasing anti-cocaine antibodies, which help prevent the uptake of cocaine across the blood-brain barrier.
Research shows that social hierarchy influences brain function related to cocaine addiction in non-human primates. Dominant monkeys exhibit reduced dopamine levels and lower likelihood of abusing cocaine after being housed in social groups.
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.
Aortic dissection is a life-threatening condition that can occur in people who have used crack cocaine, particularly those with high blood pressure or Marfan syndrome. Researchers found that 29% of cocaine users died from the condition compared to 17% of non-users.
UB researchers found that Ritalin can cause long-lasting changes in brain cell structure and function, similar to other stimulant drugs. The study suggests that Ritalin's effects may outlast the initial dose, leading to concerns about its long-term impact on the brain.
A study published by Harvard University Medical School found that during a woman's menstrual cycle, estrogen levels may shield them from cocaine's brain-altering effects. The findings suggest progesterone and testosterone enhance cocaine-induced vasoconstriction, while estrogen may blunt its vascular effects.
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.
Young adults experiencing nontraumatic chest pains may have cocaine use, researchers say. Effective treatments include nitroglycerin or calcium blockers for constricted blood vessels.
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.
This year's Monitoring the Future study found a significant rise in ecstasy use among American adolescents, with proportions increasing by 50-100% across all grade levels. In contrast, inhalants, LSD, and crystal methamphetamine use have declined substantially since their peak levels in the mid-1990s.
A study by Cornell University researchers suggests that prenatal cocaine exposure may cause lasting attention dysfunction in children, impacting their ability to focus despite distractions. The findings support the potential long-term effects of cocaine use during pregnancy on children's cognitive development.
A new UF study contradicts dire predictions that prenatal cocaine exposure leads to misbehavior in toddlers. Researchers found no significant behavioral problems in cocaine-exposed children, suggesting poverty and environment may be the cause.
A recent study published in Heart journal has found that recreational cocaine use promotes the formation of blood clots, leading to an increased risk of heart attacks. The research, which monitored 14 young adults after they received a dose of cocaine, showed that even occasional use can have significant effects on cardiovascular health.
Research suggests that poverty has a greater impact on the mental development of children exposed to cocaine before birth, even when controlling for IQ scores and preschool attendance. Children who had been exposed to cocaine performed no worse than low-income children without cocaine exposure in problem-solving tests.
A study by Hennepin County Medical Center found that cocaine users are at a higher risk of developing aneurysms in their heart arteries, with 30% of participants showing the condition. The study suggests that cocaine use causes blood vessel damage and accelerates atherosclerosis, leading to increased cardiovascular health problems.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center discovered that cocaine affects the central nervous system, causing vessel constriction, rapid heartbeat, and subsequent heart attacks. By blocking the sympathetic nervous system, they found a potential pathway to develop a life-saving antidote for cocaine overdoses.
A leading forensic toxicologist suggests that cocaine abuse may be behind some deaths in custody, rather than police brutality. The expert's neurochemical test detects a unique brain signature associated with excited delirium (ED), which can cause sudden death due to cardiac arrest.
A study by Brown University researchers found that prenatal cocaine exposure can lead to lower IQ scores and language performance in children. The analysis of over 800 school-age children revealed a significant impact on intelligence, with an average IQ score reduction of 3.26 points.
A new study by UF researchers finds that more than 75% of babies exposed to cocaine in utero showed no major problems, contrary to earlier reports. The study dispels alarm surrounding prenatal cocaine exposure's devastating effects, suggesting subtle effects rather than severe anomalies.