Study shows adolescents find vaping nicotine more rewarding than adults, and do so after shorter exposure. The findings may explain why vaping is so popular in the teenage demographic. Read More
Altered expression of FYN, a gene associated with the production of Tau, was identified in the brains of people addicted to heroin. Findings suggest opioid use can affect the brain in a way that might cause vulnerability in neural systems that can trigger neurodegeneration later in life. Read More
People with a history of substance use disorder are more susceptible to COVID-19 infection and have an increased risk of experiencing worse outcomes, a new study reports. Read More
Identical twins were more likely to have similar sun-seeking behaviors than non-identical twins, suggesting genetics play a key role in sun-seeking behaviors. Researchers identified five genes associated with sun-seeking behavior, some of which have previously been associated with behavioral traits linked to risk-taking and addiction. Read More
Levels of oxytocin were substantially lower in adults who experienced parental divorce as children compared to those whose families remained together. Read More
Sibling study reveals moderate cannabis use during adolescence has adverse effects on cognitive function that cannot be explained by genetics or other environmental factors. Read More
Study reveals a previously unrecognized family connection to alcohol use disorder, the drinking habits of a person's in-laws. People married to those who experienced parental alcohol misuse as a child are more likely to develop an addiction to alcohol, even if the spouse has no history of a personal battle with alcohol use. Read More
The way zebrafish respond to repeated exposure and withdrawal from nicotine mirrors more complex human responses during withdrawal. Read More
A new study reveals the role the claustrum plays in cocaine addiction. Inhibiting claustral neurons prevented behavioral responses to cocaine in mouse models of addiction. Read More
Alcoholic coolers that contain 10% alcohol and 25% high-fructose corn syrup increase the risk of problem drinking, a new study reports. Read More
A new study reveals the role microglia plays in alcohol addiction, finding the immune cells alter the geometry of gray matter while under the influence of alcohol. Read More
Study reveals the role the orbitofrontal cortex plays in individual differences to alcohol preference. The findings shed new light on how some are more prone to alcohol use disorder than others. Read More
