Latest

fentanyl

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.

This shows the outline of a woman's head

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 14, 2022·4 min read

Fentanyl Vaccine Potential ‘Game Changer’ for Opioid Epidemic

A newly developed vaccine blocks the ability of the opioid Fentanyl's ability to enter the brain, thus blocking the drug's "high".

Featured Neuroscience

·August 30, 2022·3 min read

Fentanyl’s Effects on the Brain

Fentanyl exposure produces specific EEG signatures in the brain. The findings also revealed the drug impairs people's breathing four minutes before noticeable changes in alertness.

Autism Featured Neuroscience

·June 14, 2022·4 min read

Fentanyl May Cause Autism-Like Behavior in Young Mice

Exposure to the opioid fentanyl induces autism-like behaviors in mice by activating mu-opioid receptors in the anterior cingulate cortex.

This shows a finger touching an image of a brain

Featured Neuroscience

·February 4, 2021·4 min read

Experimental Vaccine Blunts the Deadliest of Synthetic Opioids

A newly developed experimental vaccine can diminish the fatal respiratory effects of carfentanil and fentanyl in rodent models.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·January 12, 2019·6 min read

Does Opioid Use in Pets Create Higher Risk for Abuse in Humans?

Researchers report a 41% increase in the prescription of opioids for small animals over the past 10 years. The study reports the increase could potentially provide human access to the drugs, fueling the opioid epidemic.

Featured Psychology

·June 22, 2018·6 min read

Suicide Nation: What’s Behind the Need to Numb and Seek Final Escape?

Researchers look at why suicide rates may be on the rise in the US, finding suicidality may be more than simply a mental health issue.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·March 30, 2018·5 min read

Opioid Use Prevalent Among Electronic Dance Music Partygoers

Researchers report 10 percent of people who have attended EDM events have misused opioids in the past 12 months. The number, researchers say, exceeds national averages. Oxycontin was reported to be the most widely misused drug within the scene.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·December 18, 2017·5 min read

New Vaccine Technology Shows Promise as a Tool to Combat the Opioid Crisis

A new vaccine blocks the effects of heroin by preventing the drug from crossing the blood-brain barrier. Researchers believe the vaccine could be helpful in curbing the opioid epidemic.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Pain

·November 16, 2017·4 min read

New Painkillers Reduce Overdose Risk

Researchers have developed a new pain killer that is on par with conventional opioids, but does not affect respiration, which is the main cause of opioid overdose.