Articles tagged with Opiates
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A new study by Yale Ancient Pharmacology Program reveals evidence of opium use in ancient Egyptian society, suggesting it was part of daily life. The discovery also raises the possibility that alabaster jars found in King Tut's tomb contained opium as part of an ancient tradition.
Researchers at MIT and Brigham and Women's Hospital have developed an implantable device that monitors vital signs and releases naloxone to reverse opioid overdoses. The device has shown success in reversing overdoses in animals, with a 96% recovery rate.
A UCLA Health study discovered that suvorexant, an insomnia medication, blocks brain receptors for hypocretin and prevents opioid addiction in mice. The drug maintains behavioral alertness at lower doses than those inducing sleep. Further studies are needed to determine its effectiveness in humans with opioid use disorder.
A previously healthy man developed toxic leukoencephalopathy after inhaling fentanyl, leading to inflammation in the brain and potentially irreversible damage. Fortunately, he slowly recovered with wraparound treatment from a multidisciplinary team at OHSU.
University of Birmingham researchers are developing a screening tool to identify patients most susceptible to persistent opioid usage after major surgery. The project aims to combine metabolic, neurobiological and cognitive profiles to predict patient responses to pain management, enabling clinicians to build targeted treatment plans.
A multi-site NIH study shows that less than 1% of people with opioid use disorder experience withdrawal when starting buprenorphine in the emergency department. The findings provide strong evidence for safe and effective buprenorphine treatment, even for those using stronger opioids like fentanyl.
A national US study found that people with disabilities who misuse opioid drugs are 73% more likely to attempt suicide. The study, which looked at over 38,000 adults, also found that those with disabilities were more likely to have serious thoughts of suicide and make a plan or attempt to take their own life.
A new study by UC San Francisco researchers found that marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine, and opiate use are associated with an increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation. Cannabis users had a 35% increased likelihood of later developing AF, similar to traditional tobacco use.
Researchers at UCSF have identified six novel molecules that can alleviate pain in mice without causing sedation. These compounds target the alpha2a adrenergic receptor and are from chemically different families, making them promising candidates for further development.
A new study published in Bioelectronic Medicine found that high-frequency spinal cord stimulation (HF-SCS) was more effective at improving perceived pain reduction than low-frequency SCS (LF-SCS). HF-SCS also showed less subsequent use of opioids to mitigate pain.
A new study found that an orally absorbed tablet containing cannabidiol (CBD) effectively reduced post-operative pain after shoulder surgery without side effects. The study showed significant pain relief and higher patient satisfaction compared to placebo, highlighting the potential of CBD as a safe and effective pain management tool.
Researchers have identified a new pathway for opioid-induced reward in the brain, paving the way for creating safer opioids. By altering the opioid peptide receptor MOPR, pharmaceutical companies can potentially create drugs that bypass the brain's reward system.
A new study published in Addiction found that expanding naloxone access laws in the US did not contribute to reductions in perceived risk of heroin use. The research used data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health and found no correlation between naloxone access and perceptions of heroin risk.
A new study published in Prehospital and Disaster Medicine found that prehospital ketamine administration for excited delirium with concomitant cocaine intoxication significantly increases the risk of subsequent emergency department intubation. The study's findings suggest that cocaine may deplete excitatory neurotransmitters, leading ...
A national study by University of Cincinnati researchers has identified 25 geographic hot spots for fatal opioid overdoses and linked them to poor mental health. White males aged 25-29 are most at risk, followed by white males aged 30-34, with a correlation between fatal overdoses and mental distress increasing the relative risk by 39%
Researchers have discovered a new pathway in the brain that provides pain relief and reduces opioid cravings. The study found that transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) targeting the motor cortex was significantly more effective at reducing pain and opioid urge than targeting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC).
Researchers seek to improve symptom control and patient comfort in ICU patients transitioning to palliative care. Administration of opiates before ventilation withdrawal may help alleviate distress, according to a recent study published in the journal Chest.
Researchers found heating poppy seeds at 392 F for 40 minutes degraded most opiates. Baking seeds in muffins didn't significantly change opiate concentrations due to uneven internal and external temperatures.
Researchers found that white men between 30 and 39 are most at risk of fatal overdoses, followed by black men ages 30 to 39. The study identified 12 clusters or hot zones across Ohio where opiate-related mortalities are highest.
A study by researchers at the University of Waterloo found that 7.5% of psychiatric hospital patients used opioids in the year prior to admission, compared to 2% of the general population. The study highlights the need for integrated health services to address pain, mental health conditions and substance use.
A survey of over 700 young Irish doctors found widespread prescribing for personal use, with nearly two-thirds self-medicating. The study highlights the risks of this practice, including addiction and suicide, and calls for further education and inclusion in medical training.
Researchers are examining prescription practices before and after the law took effect to understand how it has shaped healthcare providers' prescribing habits. The study will also investigate the impact on patients, including those with chronic pain, and potential unintended consequences of shorter opioid prescriptions.
Research at University at Buffalo finds that heroin exposure sharply reduces drebrin levels in the brain's reward pathway, leading to synaptic rewiring and increased risk of relapse. Restoring drebrin levels can reduce relapse behaviors, providing a potential new treatment avenue.
Researchers at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center have identified a new sustainable method to produce lifesaving opiate antidotes by harnessing a microorganism that catalyzes N-demethylation, reducing waste and costs associated with current methods.
A smartphone app called PainCoach helps patients reduce their use of opiate painkillers and improve pain control after total knee replacement surgery. The app provides personalized advice on pain relief and exercises to help patients manage their pain levels, resulting in lower opiate use and improved quality of life.
Research at ATS 2019 found no difference in opioid prescriptions between ICU patients with and without opioid care. One year after discharge, ICU patients given opioids did not appear to be at higher risk of receiving opioid prescriptions.
A study published in Academic Emergency Medicine confirms that patients treated with naloxone for opiate overdose can be safely discharged from the emergency department after one hour. The study found minimal risk of adverse events and suggests the St. Paul's Early Discharge Rule as a useful predictor of high-risk patients.
A new drug test developed at the University of East Anglia can detect four classes of drugs in traces of sweat found in a fingerprint. The Intelligent Fingerprinting Drug Screening System enables rapid detection of amphetamines, cannabis, cocaine, and opiates from a single fingerprint sample.
Researchers at University of York and British Museum discovered traces of opiates in a sealed vessel dating back to Late Bronze Age. The presence of opiate alkaloids suggests that the vessel may have been used for medicinal or ceremonial purposes.
A polymer science professor at The University of Akron is developing a fiber mat that detects opiate residue, providing first responders with quick indication of presence. Early prototypes will be used in latex gloves carried by responders to prevent exposure and overdose risk.
A study by University of Texas Medical Branch researchers found that opioid-related hospitalization rates increased among Medicare patients without prescribed opioids after the 2014 federal change limiting hydrocodone product dispensing. This increase may indicate illegal use of these drugs.
A new Yale study finds that Medicare plans place few restrictions on the coverage of prescription opioids, despite federal guidelines recommending such restrictions. The researchers highlighted an untapped opportunity for Medicare formularies to limit opioid prescribing, citing a modest increase in opiate coverage between 2006 and 2015.
Researchers found that nearly one-third of older adults prescribed opiates while hospitalized experienced poor outcomes, including being restrained and requiring bladder catheterization. Alternative pain management options like acupuncture and tai chi should be integrated into inpatient care, according to the study's findings.
A study published in ACS Chemical Neuroscience confirms that lorcaserin decreases the urge to use opiates like oxycodone, reducing use and craving. The researchers found that lorcaserin alters serotonin signaling to reduce cue reactivity associated with opiate use.
Dr. Anne Murphy's research aims to improve pain management strategies for people aged 65 or older, who experience severe under-treatment of chronic pain. She will use a systems-level approach to investigate the impact of age on central opioidergic circuits.
A new study found that nearly three-fourths of patients who sustain major trauma and receive an opiate prescription discontinue use by one month after hospital discharge. Only a few factors, including older age, lower socioeconomic status, and longer hospital stays, increased the chance for prolonged opiate use.
The UK government's shift from harm reduction to abstinence-based policies has contributed to the rising number of drug-related deaths. Experts recommend expanding treatment options and investing in naloxone, safer injecting equipment, and immunization programs to combat the crisis.
Researchers at Washington State University have found that hyperbaric oxygen therapy can relieve opioid withdrawal symptoms in mice, with a significant reduction in severe withdrawal signs. The study suggests implications for treating heroin addiction and could lead to new clinical evidence supporting FDA approval for the treatment.
Researchers at Temple University Health System will investigate the combined impact of tobacco smoke and opiates on HIV-induced tissue damage in brain, lungs, and other organs. The study aims to better understand the pathology of HIV infection and develop new treatments for affected individuals.
Researchers in Delaware are using geo-mapping to identify neighborhoods with high rates of fentanyl and opiate prescriptions, finding that women and people over 50 years old are prescribed these medications at higher rates than men. These 'hot spots' tend to be rural areas, suggesting a shift away from the urban drug problem narrative.
New research by Dr. Steven Laviolette suggests that opiate-induced changes in brain circuits can be reversed, targeting dopamine signalling and protein adaptations to prevent or reverse addiction. The findings aim to inform approaches to addiction treatment and develop more effective pharmacological interventions.
A study found that NSAIDs and opiates had no significant difference in pain scores, but NSAID use was associated with more rescue medication. Smaller chest tubes reduced pain, but efficacy has not been proven.
Scientists at the University of Manchester have shown that the number of opiate receptors in the brain increases to combat severe pain in arthritis sufferers. By applying heat, they found a correlation between higher receptor numbers and increased ability to withstand pain.
Scientists at the University of York and GlaxoSmithKline Australia have made a groundbreaking genetic discovery in poppies that could lead to more effective painkillers. The discovery of the STORR gene provides new insight into how poppy plants produce morphine, a key step towards developing bespoke poppy varieties.
Researchers from Concordia University and UC Berkeley have developed a new method to produce alkaloids, including codeine and morphine, using engineered yeast. This breakthrough enables the synthesis of valuable pharmaceuticals, paving the way for the creation of new complex compounds with therapeutic effects.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Engineering have successfully reprogrammed yeast cells to produce opioids in stainless steel vats, eliminating the need for poppy cultivation. The breakthrough could lead to reliable manufacture of essential medicines while mitigating diversion to illegal use.
Emergency physicians face a growing concern of acetyl fentanyl overdoses due to its potency and potential for adulteration in street drugs marketed as heroin. The lack of regulation around acetyl fentanyl creates an environment where it can be easily distributed through networks, posing a significant risk to users.
A recent study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine found no correlation between painkillers, including opiates, and patient satisfaction scores in emergency departments. Instead, factors such as increasing age and male gender were linked to higher satisfaction scores.
Researchers identified a molecular memory switch in the basolateral amygdala that controls opiate addiction memories. The switch is triggered by exposure to heroin and involves two distinct signaling pathways controlled by ERK and CaMKII molecules.
Researchers used electric stimulation to release an opiate-like substance that reduces pain in the brain. The study found a significant improvement in patients' threshold for cold pain, but not their clinical pain levels. Repeated sessions are required for lasting effects.
A new Stanford University School of Medicine study has found that genetics significantly impact the severity of opiate side effects, such as nausea and respiratory depression. The research also suggests that genetic variations can influence an individual's risk of addiction to these powerful painkillers.
According to a new study, about one baby is born every hour in the United States addicted to opiate drugs. The number of newborns with neonatal abstinence syndrome has increased five-fold between 2000 and 2009.
The study found a nearly 5-fold increase in maternal opiate use and a 3-fold increase in newborns diagnosed with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) between 2000 and 2009. NAS is associated with increased hospital charges, longer hospital stays, and adverse neonatal outcomes.
A recent UCSF study suggests that combining cannabinoids with opiates may lead to greater pain relief for chronic pain patients. The study found that patients who received both treatments experienced significant reductions in pain scores, with some showing a 33% decrease in morphine use.
Researchers have discovered the unique genes responsible for codeine and morphine production in the opium poppy, opening doors to alternative methods of producing these painkillers. The findings could lead to more efficient and cost-effective synthesis of pharmaceuticals using microorganisms.
New studies show that morphine can boost tumor-cell proliferation and inhibit the immune response, promoting angiogenesis and cancer metastasis. Shielding lung cancer cells from opiates reduces cell proliferation, invasion, and migration in both cell-culture and mouse models.
A new study found that only half of federal and state prison systems offer opioid replacement therapy (ORT), a treatment proven to reduce drug-related disease and reincarceration rates. Meanwhile, only 23 states provide referrals for inmates to treatment upon release from prison.
Researchers found that naltrexone, an opiate receptor blocker, reduced the urges to steal and stealing behavior in individuals with kleptomania after eight weeks of treatment. The study suggests a potential link between kleptomania and substance addictions, highlighting the drug's efficacy in treating impulse control disorders.
A new study published in Pediatrics shows that implementing simple changes to hospital procedures can significantly reduce the harm caused by opiate use in children's hospitals. The study found that reducing prescription overrides and ensuring caregivers have up-to-date drug lists led to a 67% decrease in adverse events.
A new PET study reveals a direct correlation between hereditary personality traits, particularly reward dependency, and brain chemistry. Individuals with high reward dependence have higher opiate receptor binding in the ventral striatum, associated with increased cravings and addictive behavior.