The Rothman Orthopaedic Institute Foundation for Opioid Research & Education announces a symposium titled “The Next Chapter of the Opioid Epidemic in Pennsylvania: The Xylazine Crisis” to be held on November 23, 2024, from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm at the Bluemle Life Science Building at Jefferson Med in Philadelphia.
Tag: Drug Addiction
Brain neurotransmitter receptor antagonist found to prevent opioid addiction in mice
New research led by UCLA Health has found a drug that treats insomnia works to prevent the addictive effects of the morphine opioids in mice while still providing effective pain relief.
A Common Pathway in the Brain That Enables Addictive Drugs to Hijack Natural Reward Processing Has Been Identified by Mount Sinai
Mount Sinai researchers, in collaboration with scientists at The Rockefeller University, have uncovered a mechanism in the brain that allows cocaine and morphine to take over natural reward processing systems.
Expert calls for reforms to address the overdose crisis
At the end of 2022, the federal government eliminated the “X waiver,” a major hurdle to providing addiction treatment, but progress needs to be continued, according to the authors of a new Perspective piece published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Offering medications for opioid addiction to incarcerated individuals leads to decrease in overdose deaths
New research from Boston Medical Center concluded that offering medications to treat opioid addiction in jails and prisons leads to a decrease in overdose deaths. Published in JAMA Network Open, the study also found that treating opioid addiction during incarceration is cost-effective in terms of healthcare costs, incarceration costs, and deaths avoided.
The brain’s cannabinoid system protects against addiction following childhood maltreatment
High levels of the body’s own cannabinoid substances protect against developing addiction in individuals previously exposed to childhood maltreatment, according to a new study from Linköping University in Sweden.
Millions with opioid addiction don’t receive residential treatment
First study to do apples-to-apples comparison of residential treatment use among Medicaid enrollees across several states
Comparison with Canada highlights poor access to US methadone treatment
People living in the United States must travel significantly farther to access methadone treatment for opioid addiction than Canadians, suggests a new study led by Washington State University researchers.
Medication treatment of pediatric psychiatric disorders reduces the later onset of substance use problems
One half of psychiatric and substance use disorders start by the age of 18; three-quarters by age 24.
New Study Suggests Healthcare Provider Biases Can Impact a Patient’s Access to Preventative HIV Drug
A new study published today reveals systematic biases among primary and HIV care providers about people who inject drugs and how those biases may impact access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a preventive, prescription-based medication that significantly reduces the risk of HIV infection through sexual behavior and injection practices.
Mechanisms of addiction: Psychology professor receives NIH grant for brain research
A five-year, $2.59 million grant from the National Institutes of Health will allow a psychology professor at Binghamton University, State University of New York to study the mechanisms of addiction.
Researchers Test Model to Predict Drug Overdose Deaths in U.S.
Researchers at UC San Diego, San Diego State University, and international collaborators have designed and validated a prediction model to signal counties at risk of future overdose death outbreaks.
June 2021 Issue of AJPH Comprises the Effects of COVID-19 on Drug Overdoses, E-cigarette Use, and Public Health Measures and Strategies
June 2021 AJPH Issue highlights COVID-19 concerns in relation to fatal drug overdoses, drops in youth e-cigarette use, importance of public health measures, and strategies to protect correctional staff.
Initiative to Get COVID-19 Vaccines to People with Substance Use Disorder Launched by Addiction Policy Forum (APF) and Foundation for Opioid Response Efforts (FORE)
The Foundation for Opioid Response Efforts (FORE) and the Addiction Policy Forum (APF) are launching a program to assist people with substance use disorder obtain COVID-19 vaccinations.
Research News Tip Sheet: Story Ideas from Johns Hopkins Medicine
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Johns Hopkins Medicine Media Relations is focused on disseminating current, accurate and useful information to the public via the media. As part of that effort, we are distributing our “COVID-19 Tip Sheet: Story Ideas from Johns Hopkins” every other Wednesday.
Novel Anti-Craving Mechanism Discovered to Treat Cocaine Relapse
Cocaine continues to be one of the most commonly abused illicit drugs in the United States. Pre-clinical literature suggests that targeting glucagon-like peptide-1 receptors (GLP-1Rs) in the brain may represent a novel approach to treating cocaine use disorder. Specifically, GLP-1R agonists, which are FDA-approved for treating diabetes and obesity, have been shown to reduce voluntary drug taking and seeking in preclinical models of cocaine used disorder. However, the exact neural circuits and cell types that mediate the suppressive effects of GLP-1R agonists on cocaine-seeking behavior are mostly unknown.
Negative side effects of opioids could be coming from users’ own immune systems (video)
Opioid users can develop chronic inflammation and heightened pain sensitivity. These side effects might stem from the body’s own immune system, which can make antibodies against the drugs. The researchers will present their results at the American Chemical Society Fall 2020 Virtual Meeting & Expo.