Flies usually avoid cocaine – it tastes bitter. But when bitter-sensing neurons are switched off, they learn to prefer it. This new model could help test human genes linked to cocaine use disorder. 🪰💊🔬
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#CocaineResearch #Neuroscience #AddictionScience #FliesAndDrugs #GeneticStudies
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#CocaineResearch #Neuroscience #AddictionScience #FliesAndDrugs #GeneticStudies
Journal of Neuroscience
Bitter sensing protects Drosophila from developing experience-dependent cocaine consumption preference
Cocaine is an addictive psychostimulant, and the risk of developing cocaine use disorder (CUD) is highly heritable. Little is known about the specific genes and mechanisms that lead to the development of CUD, and there are currently no FDA-approved pharmacotherapies…
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Science News
Childhood trauma and genetics drive alcoholism at different life stages. The findings indicate that severe early-life trauma accelerates the onset of the disease, whereas specific genetic factors are more closely linked to alcoholism that develops later in…
• 🧠 Early Trauma Accelerates Alcoholism, Genetics Linked to Later Onset: New research in Drug and Alcohol Dependence identifies distinct pathways to Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). Severe childhood trauma strongly predicts earlier onset (before age 25), while specific genetic variations in the BDNF gene are more associated with AUD developing later in adulthood.
• 📈 Adverse Childhood Experiences Dramatically Increase Risk: The study found a compounding risk with Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Individuals with two or more ACEs were an astounding 48 times more likely to develop AUD. Family dysfunction was also a significant factor across all age groups.
• 🧬 Genetic Factors More Pronounced in Late-Onset AUD: A specific pattern of BDNF gene variations, known as a haplotype, was found to be more frequent in patients with late-onset alcoholism (after age 25). This suggests genetic influences on brain plasticity may become more evident as the brain ages.
• ⚖️ Independent Pathways for Genes and Trauma: The research indicates that genetic risks and environmental risks, such as childhood trauma, appear to operate independently. While both contribute to AUD, they do not seem to amplify each other directly, suggesting parallel biological pathways to addiction.
#AlcoholResearch #MentalHealth #AddictionScience
• 📈 Adverse Childhood Experiences Dramatically Increase Risk: The study found a compounding risk with Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Individuals with two or more ACEs were an astounding 48 times more likely to develop AUD. Family dysfunction was also a significant factor across all age groups.
• 🧬 Genetic Factors More Pronounced in Late-Onset AUD: A specific pattern of BDNF gene variations, known as a haplotype, was found to be more frequent in patients with late-onset alcoholism (after age 25). This suggests genetic influences on brain plasticity may become more evident as the brain ages.
• ⚖️ Independent Pathways for Genes and Trauma: The research indicates that genetic risks and environmental risks, such as childhood trauma, appear to operate independently. While both contribute to AUD, they do not seem to amplify each other directly, suggesting parallel biological pathways to addiction.
#AlcoholResearch #MentalHealth #AddictionScience