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Activation of D2 neurons may help decrease alcohol consumption, research shows

By activating particular neurons, we may be able to influence alcohol drinking behavior, according to new findings published by researchers at the Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine in the journal Biological Psychiatry.

7 Jul 2016

Regular marijuana use impacts the brain's natural response to rewards

Most people would get a little 'rush' out of the idea that they're about to win some money.

6 Jul 2016

Researchers discover surprising mismatch on either side of dopaminergic synapses

Neurons are cells that transmit nerve impulses. Dopamine neurons are the main source of the chemical dopamine in the central nervous system and are few in number compared to other types of neurons in the brain.

1 Jul 2016

Key warning signs of mental health problems in adults and children

The National Institute of Mental Health says one in five adults suffers from a diagnosable mental disorder, affecting more than 43 million people in a given year, an issue highlighted recently by the publicized struggles of prominent athletes like NFL quarterback Johnny Manziel and Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps.

1 Jul 2016

Inhibition behavior may help predict binge drinking habits among young adults

While there are a number of studies on alcohol misuse, most of the research has been focused on the adult population. Alcohol is the most widely used drug among young adults between the ages of 18 to 25.

30 Jun 2016

Programs to prevent prescription drug misuse may be underused, study reveals

Misuse of prescription pain medications remains a major public health problem -- but programs to prevent it may be underused, according to a study in the July issue of the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.

29 Jun 2016

Why does appetite loss occur during illness? An interview with Prof. Conti and Prof. Francesconi

Appetite, as a word, come from the Latin appetitus, meaning "desire for.” Therefore, appetite can be defined as a pleasurable sensation or the desire to eat. This sensation is coordinated by several brain areas associated with reward processing such amygdala, hippocampus, ventral pallidum, nucleus accumbens and striatum, and others.

28 Jun 2016

HDAC inhibitors may help regulate alcoholism-induced anxiety

Epigenetics is the study of changes in organisms caused by modifying gene expression - by alcohol, for example - rather than alteration of the genetic code itself. Recent evidence suggests that alcohol can inhibit activity of an enzyme called histone deacetylase (HDAC) in the amygdala, a brain region that is crucial for storing memories and regulating fear, anxiety, and other emotions.

27 Jun 2016

Mobile breathalyzers could help improve outcomes in intensive outpatient treatment for AUDs

Alcohol treatment has come a long way from enforced isolation in asylums, and technological advancements are particularly promising in terms of their capacity to improve treatment effectiveness.

27 Jun 2016

Federal government continues to ban valid scientific research on medicinal use of Cannabis sativa

The use of medical marijuana for millions of patients suffering from a wide range of health conditions and the subsequent therapeutic benefits has long been documented.

25 Jun 2016

Researchers use wristband sensors to detect how opioid users in emergency room reacted to dosages

There is merit in looking at the use of wearable biosensors to detect whether opioid users stay focused on their rehabilitation programs.

23 Jun 2016

Scientists provide new insights into role of star-shaped brain cells in memory, learning

A molecule that enables strong communication between our brain and muscles appears to also aid essential communication between our neurons, scientists report.

23 Jun 2016

Study finds dramatic increase in nonmedical use of prescription opioids in the U.S.

Nonmedical use of prescription opioids more than doubled among adults in the United States from 2001-2002 to 2012-2013, based on a study from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, part of the National Institutes of Health. Nearly 10 million Americans, or 4.1 percent of the adult population, used opioid medications in 2012-2013 a class of drugs that includes OxyContin and Vicodin, without a prescription or not as prescribed (in greater amounts, more often, or longer than prescribed) in the past year.

23 Jun 2016

JAMA edition provides summary of FSMB policy recommendations about marijuana in patient care

The Journal of the American Medical Association has published in its online edition a summary of new policy adopted by the Federation of State Medical Boards that provides recommendations about marijuana in patient care and a cautionary note advising actively licensed physicians to abstain from using marijuana while practicing medicine.

23 Jun 2016

New survey reveals more than half of patients prescribed opioids have leftover pills

In the midst of an epidemic of prescription painkiller addiction and overdose deaths, a new Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health survey suggests that more than half of patients prescribed opioids have leftover pills -- and many save them to use later.

14 Jun 2016

Marijuana and alcohol use during adolescence linked to poor academic performance, mental health

Adolescents who use both marijuana and alcohol during middle school and high school are more likely to have poor academic performance and mental health during high school, according to a new study by the nonprofit RAND Corporation that followed a group of students over a seven-year period.

14 Jun 2016

Addiction News and Research

Activation of D2 neurons may help decrease alcohol consumption, research shows

Regular marijuana use impacts the brain's natural response to rewards

Researchers discover surprising mismatch on either side of dopaminergic synapses

Key warning signs of mental health problems in adults and children

Inhibition behavior may help predict binge drinking habits among young adults

Programs to prevent prescription drug misuse may be underused, study reveals

Why does appetite loss occur during illness? An interview with Prof. Conti and Prof. Francesconi

HDAC inhibitors may help regulate alcoholism-induced anxiety

Mobile breathalyzers could help improve outcomes in intensive outpatient treatment for AUDs

Federal government continues to ban valid scientific research on medicinal use of Cannabis sativa

Researchers use wristband sensors to detect how opioid users in emergency room reacted to dosages

Scientists provide new insights into role of star-shaped brain cells in memory, learning

Study finds dramatic increase in nonmedical use of prescription opioids in the U.S.

JAMA edition provides summary of FSMB policy recommendations about marijuana in patient care

New survey reveals more than half of patients prescribed opioids have leftover pills

Marijuana and alcohol use during adolescence linked to poor academic performance, mental health

Databases of proteins' 3-D shapes help identify more than 850 DNA mutations linked to cancer

PET/CT imaging technique may provide way to break perpetual cycle of alcohol abuse

Study sheds new light on the brain’s decision-making processes

Glial cells may play crucial role in addiction-related behaviors

Leveraging the power of automation to boost research

Automating research - solutions and best practices

How can microdialysis benefit drug development

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