Latest from NIDA

Dopamine Neurons Signal Rich Information About Unexpected Events

March 27, 2020 | In this study, both rats and humans learned to predict differently flavored rewards in parallel choice tasks, showing that dopamine neurons are carrying much more information than previously thought.

NIDA Notes

Stronger Brain Circuit Connectivity May Predict Nicotine Dependence Severity

March 25, 2020 | The degree of connectivity of a neuronal network in the rat brain before nicotine exposure can help predict nicotine dependence severity after nicotine exposure as well as reversal of dependence...

Science Highlight

New biological clues linking social connectedness to reduced drug craving and relapse

March 24, 2020 | This rodent study offers the first mechanistic explanation for the protective effect of social interaction related to incubation of craving, showing for the first time the role of a specific...

News Release

National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week® celebrates 10 years

March 23, 2020 | NDAFW is an annual, week-long observance in which local educational events link teens with science-based facts about drugs and alcohol through live and online activities across the country.

Emerging Trend

COVID-19 is an Emerging, Rapidly Evolving Situation

March 18, 2020 | Links to the latest resources on COVID-19

NIDA Notes

Serotonin Receptor Agonist Lorcaserin Reduces Relapse to Drug Use in Monkeys

March 10, 2020 | The serotonin 2C receptor agonist lorcaserin reduced reinstatement of drug-seeking behavior in response to heroin or cocaine in a nonhuman primate model of relapse.

NIDA Notes

E-Cigarette Characteristics May Influence Use and Are Potential Targets for Regulatory Policy

March 2, 2020 | People's decisions to use e-cigarettes, as well as perceptions about associated risks, are influenced by the e-cigarettes' nicotine levels and available flavors. The influence of these characteristics on decision-making and...

Science Highlight

Study highlights effectiveness of methadone and buprenorphine

February 28, 2020 | In a comparative effectiveness study of 6 approaches to treatment for opioid use disorders, only treatment with buprenorphine or methadone was associated with reduced risk of overdose and serious opioid-related...

Science Highlight

NIDA scientists: Blocking adenosine receptors should counteract adverse effects of cannabinoids

February 21, 2020 | Computational modeling by NIDA scientists suggests the possible use of adenosine A2A receptor antagonists to counteract the adverse effects of cannabinoids.

Science Highlight

Babies exposed to HCV not adequately tested

February 18, 2020 | NIDA-funded science has found that HCV exposed infants might not be commonly or adequately tested.

NIDA Notes

Antiretroviral Therapy Combined With CRISPR Gene Editing Can Eliminate HIV Infection in Mice

February 14, 2020 | This study found that HIV-1 could be eliminated in mice using a combination of two antiviral technologies—long-acting viral reservoir—targeted antiretroviral therapy and CRISPR/Cas-9 gene editing. HIV was undetectable in 9...

NIDA Notes

Part 2: Immunotherapies—A New Tool To Treat Methamphetamine Addiction?

| En español

February 5, 2020 | Researchers move their monoclonal antibody (mAb) into clinical trials to see if it can be an effective treatment for methamphetamine use.

Science Highlight

Many teens who overdose on opioids do not get effective follow-up

February 5, 2020 | An analysis of Medicaid records shows that less than one-third of youths treated for a nonfatal opioid overdose received timely follow-up treatment, and only 1 in 54 youths received recommended...

NIDA Notes

Part 1: Immunotherapies—A New Tool To Treat Methamphetamine Addiction?

| En español

January 30, 2020 | Researchers have created a monoclonal antibody (mAb) that is intended to interact with methamphetamine and decrease its ability to enter the brain.

Science Highlight

Coaxing the brain to pay attention to healthier choices

January 30, 2020 | Neuroscience research from NIDA’s Intramural Research Program suggests that cortical mechanisms, especially in the orbitofrontal cortex, are likely involved in attentional bias to cocaine associated environmental cues and offer a...

NIDA Notes

AOUD Treatment in Primary Care Settings—Is it Feasible?

January 21, 2020 | Treatment for alcohol and opioid use disorders (AOUD) is feasible in primary care settings, but ongoing funding to support organizational capacity is critical for sustaining such programs.

Testimony

Hearing on Cannabis Policies for the New Decade

January 15, 2020 | Chairwoman Eshoo, Ranking Member Burgess, and members of the Subcommittee, thank you for inviting the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH)...

NIDA Notes

A New Era at NIDA Notes

January 14, 2020 | As we enter a new year, we would like to honor and thank NIDA Notes Editor David Anderson, who recently retired after 20 years at the helm of NIDA’s signature...

NIDA Notes

Novel Dopamine D3 Receptor Antagonist Reduces Opioid Addiction-Like Behaviors in Rats

| En español

January 13, 2020 | The dopamine D3 receptor antagonist VK4-116 reduced oxycodone self-administration in rats, as well as drug-seeking behaviors after oxycodone reinstatement following withdrawal. VK4-116 did not interfere with oxycodone’s pain-relieving effects

Science Highlight

Dopamine Neurons Signal Rich Information About Unexpected Events

Stronger Brain Circuit Connectivity May Predict Nicotine Dependence Severity

New biological clues linking social connectedness to reduced drug craving and relapse

National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week® celebrates 10 years

COVID-19 is an Emerging, Rapidly Evolving Situation

Serotonin Receptor Agonist Lorcaserin Reduces Relapse to Drug Use in Monkeys

E-Cigarette Characteristics May Influence Use and Are Potential Targets for Regulatory Policy

Study highlights effectiveness of methadone and buprenorphine

NIDA scientists: Blocking adenosine receptors should counteract adverse effects of cannabinoids

Babies exposed to HCV not adequately tested

Antiretroviral Therapy Combined With CRISPR Gene Editing Can Eliminate HIV Infection in Mice

Part 2: Immunotherapies—A New Tool To Treat Methamphetamine Addiction?

Many teens who overdose on opioids do not get effective follow-up

Part 1: Immunotherapies—A New Tool To Treat Methamphetamine Addiction?

Coaxing the brain to pay attention to healthier choices

AOUD Treatment in Primary Care Settings—Is it Feasible?

Hearing on Cannabis Policies for the New Decade

A New Era at NIDA Notes

Novel Dopamine D3 Receptor Antagonist Reduces Opioid Addiction-Like Behaviors in Rats

Changing the way we view opioid receptors

The Strong African American Families Program Improves Lives of Rural African American Youth

Vaping of marijuana on the rise among teens

α2δ-1–NMDA Receptor Interactions Are Responsible for Increases in Pain Sensitivity Caused by Opioids

Measuring the complex path to a prescription opioid use disorder

New discovery on the brain’s reward pathway

Nerve-Cell Growth During Abstinence From Methamphetamine May Promote Reinstatement of Drug Use in Rats

NIH-funded study finds teens prefer mint and mango vaping flavors

Healing the altered brains of smokers

Mindful Awareness in Body-Oriented Therapy Proves Useful in Women Treated for Substance Use Disorder

Who is most likely to become addicted to nicotine?