Understanding how the brain responds to rewards and causes feelings of pleasure is essential to understand how the process of addiction works, when harmful rewarding stimuli, such as drugs, change the normal system. New research on the cells of the brain linked to rewarding feelings has discovered a new role for a specific signaling pathway… [Continue Reading]
Protein Discovered to Regulate Rewarding Feelings of Nicotine
August 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment
A protein that regulates the reward effect of nicotine has been identified in recently published research. The protein binds nicotine and sends a signal to the brain. Mice generated that lack the protein in a certain subtype of brain cells show reduced addictive behaviors. Understanding the molecular pathways involved in addiction could lead to the… [Continue Reading]
Doctors Raise Questions about Electronic Cigarette Safety and Regulation
July 26, 2011 By 2 Comments
Alternate methods of delivering nicotine, like gum and the patch, have been used to help smokers kick the habit. Doctors, however, are raising questions about electronic cigarettes, saying they haven’t been adequately tested for safety and can be used illicitly for other drugs. Devices marketed as “electronic cigarettes” are in reality crude drug delivery systems… [Continue Reading]
Drug Developed that Blocks Heroin’s Effect on the Brain
July 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment
In what could be a major advance in the treatment of addiction, a vaccine has been developed that blocks the effect of heroin on the brain, preventing the addictive high. The vaccine causes the body to make an antibody that blocks the function of heroin and its metabolites, which also have psychogenic effects. Only tested… [Continue Reading]
Stress Changes Response to Alcohol, and Alcohol Changes Response to Stress
July 18, 2011 By Leave a Comment
A new study shows that the link between stress and drinking behavior is more complex than previously realized. In a careful study of the body’s reaction to stress and alcohol, researchers have found that while stress changes the body’s response to alcohol, which may precipitate addictive behavior, alcohol consumption also changes the body’s reaction to… [Continue Reading]
Alcohol Has Different Effects on Different Parts of the Heart
July 18, 2011 By Leave a Comment
In a detailed study of heart function in people consuming alcohol, researchers have found that low amounts of alcohol have distinct effects on different areas of the heart. By measuring ventricular function, scientists have found that light drinking impairs the left side of the heart, and increases activity in the right side. Few studies have… [Continue Reading]
Molecular Mechanisms Behind Alcohol Addiction Revealed
June 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment
The molecules that regulate feelings of stress play a key role in alcohol addiction, new research has found. In animal models, treatments with the molecules can ease addictive behaviors, suggesting that targeting this brain mechanism could be clinically effective. A team of Scripps Research Institute scientists has found a key biological mechanism underpinning the transition… [Continue Reading]
Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Calm Bipolar and Addictive Behavior
June 6, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Work in mouse models suggests that omega-3 fatty acids could have a therapeutic effect for bipolar disorder and addiction. The work, published recently, shows that mouse models of bipolar disorder, which are prone to addiction, show more normal brain function after consuming omega-3, which is found in high levels in fish oil. Omega 3 fatty… [Continue Reading]
Response to Alcohol Runs in Families and May Influence Addiction
May 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment
The tendency to abuse alcohol runs in families, and a new study is helping scientists understand why. The research shows that people with a family member with alcohol abuse issues have a more positive view of, and more positive experiences with alcohol. This suggests that the body’s reaction to alcohol might be different between families… [Continue Reading]
Components of the Genetic and Molecular Basis of Nicotine Addiction Discovered
May 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment
A new research study is helping shed light on what is happening in the brain when it is exposed to nicotine, and how addicted brains change. Changing the function of a key protein that is present in the brain region that regulates addictive and reward behaviors, using a mouse model, caused changes in addictive behavior…. [Continue Reading]