NIDA Notes Articles: Adults

NIDA Notes
Share
NIDA Notes Category Graphic

Potential Pain Medication Targets Peripheral Nerves

September 2012
Researchers report a significant advance in the search for medications that can suppress pain that currently requires opioids, but avoid opioids’ abuse potential and other undesirable CNS effects. A new compound reduces mouse responses in animal models of neurogenic and chronic inflammatory (e.g., arthritic) pain. The compound, called UB937, enhances the natural pain-killing activity of the neurotransmitter anandamide, and exerts its analgesic effects entirely in peripheral tissues, without entering the brain.

NIDA Notes Category Graphic

Elevated Rates of Drug Abuse Continue for Second Year

June 2012
Illicit drug use in the United States in 2010 was at its highest level since 2002, according to the most recent report from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. A rise in marijuana use drove the increase. A favorable trend of falling cocaine use continued.

NIDA Notes Category Graphic

Well-Known Mechanism Underlies Benzodiazepines' Addictive Properties

April 2012
New research establishes that benzodiazepines cause addiction in a way similar to that of opioids, cannabinoids, and the club drug GHB. The discovery opens the door to designing new benzodiazepines that counteract anxiety but are not addictive.

NIDA Notes Category Graphic

In Animals, Receptor Puts Brakes on Nicotine Consumption

March 2012
New research suggests that differences in tobacco consumption reflect, in part, differences in the functional efficacy of a specific type of receptor in a pathway of the brain. In animal studies, nicotinic acetylcholine receptors with the α5 subunit played a key role in producing aversive responses to nicotine, thereby dissuading further consumption of the drug.

NIDA Notes Category Graphic

Marker for Neuronal Damage Resolves a Year after Methamphetamine

December 2011
New results extend previous findings that some methamphetamine-induced neuronal damage resolves after a year of abstinence.

NIDA Notes Category Graphic

Stimulant Abusers' Regard for Future Improves With Memory Training

December 2011
Researchers correlate stimulant abusers’ improved performance on a memory training exerc ise with reductions in delay discounting.

NIDA Notes Category Graphic

Sertraline Does Not Help Methamphetamine Abusers Quit

March 2008
Describes a new research finding indicating that the antidepressant sertraline (Zoloft), prescribed to relieve depression during the methamphetamine withdrawal process, may make quitting harder.

NIDA Notes Category Graphic

Depot Naltrexone Appears Safe and Effective for Heroin Addiction

April 2007
Presents results of a pilot study to investigate the safety and efficacy of a new long-lasting injectable formulation of naltrexone to treat of heroin addiction in an outpatient setting.

NIDA Notes Category Graphic

Study Finds Withdrawal No Easier With Ultrarapid Opiate Detox

October 2006
Presents findings from a clinical trial comparing ultrarapid, anesthesia-assisted detoxification with detoxification by traditional methods among patients addicted to heroin.

Mobile Site