Pain associated with fibromyalgia may put patients at risk of developing opioid use disorder, a new study reports.
HDAC5, the "epigenetics" enzyme, plays a key role in limiting opioid-associated memories and drug-seeking behaviors following abstinence from drugs in rats. The findings provide a new avenue for the treatment of opioid addiction.
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.
Researchers are turning to artificial intelligence to find novel drugs that can block kappa opioid receptors with the hope to alleviate opioid addiction.
Opioid use disorder is 30% less common in those who used psilocybin compared to those who have never been exposed to the psychedelic. Researchers say psilocybin may protect against opioid addiction by affecting the transmission of dopamine and serotonin.
Researchers report non-fatal opioid overdoses can result in brain abnormalities and cognitive impairment.
Researchers have identified 579 genetic loci associated with increased risk of disorders associated with self-regulation disorders including addiction, ADHD, and anti-social behavior.
Opioid use disorder affects genes associated with proinflammatory immune molecule encoding and genes associated with remodeling the extracellular matrix, suggesting the connection between neurons may be altered as a result of opioid use. Additionally, those with OUD have higher levels of microglia in the brain.
Neuroinflammation may be a key player in the pathological brain changes produced as a result of chronic opioid use. Microglia is likely responsible for the majority of the changes.
Animal studies and analysis of human data reveal a link between vitamin D deficiency and an increased risk of both opioid addiction and sun-seeking behaviors.
A newly developed experimental vaccine can diminish the fatal respiratory effects of carfentanil and fentanyl in rodent models.
Study explores the role the reward system plays in chronic pain, finding emotional and physical pain are bidirectional. Opioids, researchers report, ultimately make things worse.
