About Careers Internship MedBlog Contact us
Medindia LOGIN REGISTER
Advertisement

Novel Opiate Addiction Switch in the Brain Discovered

by Sheela Philomena on September 11, 2013 at 5:39 PM
 Novel Opiate Addiction Switch in the Brain Discovered

The molecular process by which opiate addiction develops in the brain has been identified by neuroscientists. Opiate addiction is largely controlled by the formation of powerful reward memories that link the pleasurable effects of opiate-class drugs to environmental triggers that induce drug craving in individuals addicted to opiates. The research is published in the September 11th issue of The Journal of Neuroscience.

Advertisement

The Addiction Research Group led by Steven Laviolette of the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry was able to identify how exposure to heroin induces a specific switch in a memory molecule in a region of the brain called the basolateral amygdala, which is involved importantly in controlling memories related to opiate addiction, withdrawal, and relapse. Using a rodent model of opiate addiction, Laviolette's team found that the process of opiate addiction and withdrawal triggered a switch between two molecular pathways in the amygdala controlling how opiate addiction memories were formed. In the non-dependent state, they found that a molecule called extracellular signal-related kinase or "ERK" was recruited for early stage addiction memories. However, once opiate addiction had developed, the scientists observed a functional switch to a separate molecular memory pathway, controlled by a molecule called calmodulin-dependent kinase II or "CaMKII".

"These findings will shed important new light on how the brain is altered by opiate drugs and provide exciting new targets for the development of novel pharmacotherapeutic treatments for individuals suffering from chronic opiate addiction," says Laviolette, an associate professor in the Departments of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Psychiatry, and Psychology.

Source: Eurekalert
Font : A-A+

Advertisement

Advertisement
Advertisement

Recommended Readings

Latest Alcohol & Drug Abuse News

US Drug Overdose Deaths Quadruple from 1999 to 2020
The United States is currently witnessing its highest overall mortality rates in over a century, driven in part by the surge in drug overdose fatalities.
Genes Linked to Psychostimulant Drug Addiction Identified
Deciphering genetic factors in brain responses to METH and COC enables personalized approaches to combat drug abuse.
Insomnia Drug DORA-12 Shows Promise in Preventing Oxycodone Relapse
Giving rats DORA-12 during oxycodone withdrawal reduced future drug-seeking behavior, showing promise for preventing opioid addiction and relapse in humans.
France is All Set to Put a 'Full Stop' to Disposable Vapes
Rising to 9.6% in 2021, daily vaping among New Zealand's 14-year-old students underscores a concerning youth trend.
Rising Marijuana Use Linked to Higher Blood and Urine Toxic Metal Levels
The research also revealed a 22 percent increase in cadmium levels among marijuana users.
View All
This site uses cookies to deliver our services.By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Use  Ok, Got it. Close
MediBotMediBot
Greetings! How can I assist you?MediBot
×

Novel Opiate Addiction Switch in the Brain Discovered Personalised Printable Document (PDF)

Please complete this form and we'll send you a personalised information that is requested

You may use this for your own reference or forward it to your friends.

Please use the information prudently. If you are not a medical doctor please remember to consult your healthcare provider as this information is not a substitute for professional advice.

Name *

Email Address *

Country *

Areas of Interests