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opioid use disorder

·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.

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·April 28, 2023·5 min read

Insomnia Drug Belsomra May Help Treat Opioid Addiction

A preclinical study found that suvorexant (Belsomra), an insomnia drug, could be a potential treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) in rats. If the results are replicated in humans, the drug could offer a promising treatment for the millions of people with OUD and reduce drug intake and block relapse.

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·August 1, 2022·4 min read

Genetic Risk Factors for Opioid Use Disorder Identified

A new large-scale genome-wide study has identified 18 new genetic risk factors for opioid use disorder, bringing the number of OUD-associated genes from 1-19.

Featured Neuroscience Pain Psychology

·July 11, 2022·5 min read

Study Provides First Evidence of Link Between Opioid Use Disorder and Chronic Pain

Centralized sensation, or abnormal pain processing in the brain and spinal cord, may be an important underlying factor complicating the treatment of chronic pain in those with opioid use disorder.

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·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.

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.

This shows the outline of a woman and wavy lines

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 21, 2019·5 min read

CBD reduces craving and anxiety in people with heroin use disorder

CBD reduces craving and anxiety in those with heroin use disorder during withdrawal from the drug. There were no serious adverse reactions, or impairments to cognition noted with the administration of CBD. Researchers suggest cannabidiol may be useful in helping to combat opioid addiction.