fentanyl addiction News Research Articles

·August 7, 2023·6 min read

Innovative Antibody Counteracts Deadly Opioid Overdoses

Researchers developed an antibody with significant potential to reverse the lethal effects of a carfentanil overdose, according to preclinical tests. Carfentanil, a potent variant of the synthetic opioid fentanyl, is often mixed with illicit drugs, leading to a high number of overdoses.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·February 21, 2023·4 min read

Brain Circuit Involved in Fentanyl Abuse and Relapse Identified

Fentanyl enhances direct pathway medium spiny neurons activity in the striatum. During withdrawal from the opioid, inhibitory signals from direct pathway medium spiny neurons to dopaminergic neurons become enhanced. The enhanced suppression of dopaminergic neurons contributes to the negative emotions associated with fentanyl withdrawal. Inhibiting the direct pathway medium spiny neurons can reduce withdrawal symptoms and associated anxiety behaviors.