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opioid addiction

Featured Neuroscience

·August 30, 2021·8 min read

How Non-Fatal Opioid Overdoses Impact the Brain

Researchers report non-fatal opioid overdoses can result in brain abnormalities and cognitive impairment.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·August 26, 2021·5 min read

Almost 600 Genetic Locations Linked to Antisocial Behavior, Addiction, and More Identified

Researchers have identified 579 genetic loci associated with increased risk of disorders associated with self-regulation disorders including addiction, ADHD, and anti-social behavior.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·August 15, 2021·4 min read

Brain Gene Expression Patterns Altered by Chronic Opioid Use

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.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 14, 2021·4 min read

Inflammatory Processes Are Altered in the Brains of People With Opioid Use Disorder

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.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 11, 2021·5 min read

Vitamin D Deficiency May Increase Risk for Addiction to Opioids and Ultraviolet Rays

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.

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 Neurology Pain Psychology

·December 30, 2020·3 min read

Why Opioids Cannot Fix Chronic Pain

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.

This shows the outline of a person's head

Featured Genetics Neurology Open Neuroscience Articles

·September 15, 2020·4 min read

Heroin-Addicted Individuals Have Unique Brain Disturbances Resembling Those of Alzheimer’s

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.

Auditory Neuroscience Featured

·August 17, 2020·3 min read

Opioid Use Can Trigger Deafness

A new study links high-dose opioid use to an increased risk of hearing loss and auditory problems. Researchers believe hearing problems may be a result of toxicity to the ear related to opioid exposure.

Featured Neuroscience

·April 27, 2020·3 min read

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.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 4, 2020·4 min read

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.

This map of the US shows the counties most at risk of opioid overdose

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·June 28, 2019·5 min read

Opioids study shows high-risk counties across the country, suggests local solutions

Study reveals 412 counties, mainly in the Midwest and South, are at the highest risk of opioid deaths in the US. Researchers propose new strategies for improving treatment for opioid addiction.