addiction

·July 13, 2020

Rats’ Brain Activity Reveals Their Alcohol Preference

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

Featured Neuroscience

·June 17, 2020

Scientists gain detailed images of how a protein that calms brain activity works

Cryo-electron microscopy captures detailed snapshots of the GABAB receptor protein contorts as it interacts with GABA. Read More

Featured Neuroscience

·June 2, 2020

Estrogen’s role in the sex differences of alcohol abuse

Estrogen level fluctuations appear to play a role in alcohol use disorder in women. Reducing the number of estrogen receptors in the ventral tegmental area decreased binge drinking behaviors in female mouse models. Read More

This is a graphic abstract from the study

Featured Neuroscience

·June 2, 2020

Some people are easily addicted to drugs, but others are not

Dopamine D2 receptor overexpression in cholinergic interneurons of the nucleus accumbens may explain why some are more prone to cocaine addiction than others. Read More

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·May 25, 2020

Problems with alcohol? 29 gene variants may explain why

Researchers have identified 29 genetic variants linked to problematic alcohol use. Nineteen of the genes were previously unknown independent risk factors for alcohol use disorder. Read More

Featured Neuroscience

·May 18, 2020

Females exhibit more intense subjective cannabis cravings than males

Researchers also found preliminary evidence that ovarian hormones may modulate the differential response in women and may be related to different levels of estrogen. Read More

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 13, 2020

Is video game addiction real?

A six-year-long study reveals 90% of gamers do not play in a way that is harmful or causes long-term negative outcomes. 10% of gamers develop an addiction to video gaming. Those with video gaming addiction display higher levels of depression, aggression, anxiety, and cell phone addiction than their peers who play games but are not addicted.A six-year-long study reveals 90% of gamers do not play in a way that is harmful or causes long-term negative outcomes. 10% of gamers develop an addiction to video gaming. Those with video gaming addiction display higher levels of depression, aggression, anxiety, and cell phone addiction than their peers who play games but are not addicted. Read More

Featured Neuroscience

·April 27, 2020

Antibiotics may increase risk for opioid abuse

Researchers administered antibiotics to rats for two weeks, depleting their gut microbiome. They then administered oxycodone. Compared to rats given only the opioid, those given the antibiotics had profound changes in how their brains responded to the pain killers. Read More

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·April 20, 2020

Early exposure to cannabis boosts young brains’ sensitivity to cocaine

Cannabis use during youth enhances sensitivity to cocaine from the first exposure, a new rat study finds. Read More

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·April 9, 2020

Novel role for dopamine that impacts gene expression related to cocaine abuse discovered

Reducing H3Q5dop in rat models of cocaine withdrawal significantly reversed cocaine mediated gene expression changes and reduced cocaine-seeking behaviors. Read More

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 4, 2020

Anterior insula activation restores prosocial behavior in animal model of opioid addiction

Using chemogenetic methods, researchers activated neurons in the anterior insular and increased prosocial behavior in rodent models of opioid addiction. Read More