NIDA Notes Articles: Medical Consequences

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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.

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Prenatal Cocaine Exposure Increases Monkeys' Impulsivity Into Adulthood

July 2012
Prenatal drug exposure can have behavioral effects that last well into adulthood, according to two studies of adult monkeys prenatally exposed to cocaine. In the first study, drug-exposed monkeys exhibited less flexibility than controls in adjusting to changing circumstances; in the second study, drug-exposed males exhibited a greater preference than controls for having rewards right away, a sign of impulsivity.

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Substance Abuse Among Older Adults

December 2011
Understanding and responding to drug abuse among America’s aging population becomes more urgent as a growing percentage of baby boomers enter the over-50 age bracket.

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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.

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Drugs Contribute to High Rates of Sexually Transmitted Diseases Among Juvenile Offenders

July 2011
Describe a study of newly arrested youths where researchers found correlations between the youths' prevalence of these sexually transmitted diseases and their cocaine and marijuana use.

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Methamphetamine Abuse Undermines Dental Health

July 2011
Describes research that sheds light on the correlation between increased dental disease and methamphetamine abuse.

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Week-Long Events Teach Teens Drug Abuse Facts

July 2011
Highlights activities from the 2011 National Drug Facts Week in which communities sponsor events to educate teenagers about drugs and drug abuse.

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Marijuana Linked With Testicular Cancer

December 2010
Reports on a study of close to 400 Washington State men that found that those who use marijuana may increase their risk for developing testicular cancer.

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Crack Cocaine Promotes Progression of HIV Infection to AIDS

October 2010
Reports on two studies showing a high prevalence of HIV infection and more rapid progression to disability and death among drug abusers.

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Injection Drug Users Acquire Hepatitis C Infection Later in Developed Countries

April 2010
Reports trends in onset of injection drug use to infection with hepatitis C virus in developed countries and notes the influence of prevention efforts.

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