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Morphine

Potential Pain Medication Targets Peripheral Nerves

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.

Program Helps Troubled Boys Reduce Substance Abuse

Chronically delinquent boys in Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care reduced their substance abuse more than boys assigned to Community Group Care.

Antipsychotic Drug Prevents Morphine Tolerance in Mice

Summarizes animal studies indicating that an antipsychotic drug, trifluoperazine, prevents morphine tolerance in mice.

Exposure to Morphine During Early Adolescence Sensitizes Rats as Adults

Presents highlights of a study indicating that exposure to morphine during adolescence may increase sensitivity to the drug during adulthood.

Neuropeptide Promotes Drug-Seeking and Craving in Rats

Reports on two studies indicating that orexin, a neuropeptide that stimulates eating and regulates wakefulness, also fosters animals' drug seeking and craving responses to drugs.

Endorphin Derivative Inhibits Reward From Morphine and Nicotine in Rats

Describes research investigating a naturally occurring brain chemical that shows early promise as a treatment for addiction in animal studies.

Morphine Speeds AIDS Onset in Monkeys

Highlights the work of investigators who discovered key ways in which morphine may accelerate the progression of AIDS in animal studies.

Morphine-Induced Immunosuppression, From Brain to Spleen

Reports on scientists who pinpointed the biochemical trigger from morphine that sets off a chain reaction that inhibits an immune cell that is key in fighting viruses and cancer.

Featured Publication

Featured Publication

Drugs, Brains, and Behavior - The Science of Addiction

As a result of scientific research, we know that addiction is a disease that affects both brain and behavior.

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