Brain injury associated with widely abused amphetamines: neuroinflammation, neurogenesis and blood-brain barrier.
Authors: Silva AP, Martins T, Baptista S, Gonçalves J, Agasse F, Malva JO
Abstract
Over the course of the 20(th) century, it became increasingly clear that amphetamine-like psychostimulants carried serious abuse liability that has resulted in sociological use patterns that have been described as epidemics. In fact, drug addiction is a brain disease with a high worldwide prevalence, and is considered the most expensive of the neuropsychiatric disorders. This review goes beyond the previously well-documented evidence demonstrating that amphetamines cause neuronal injury. Cellular and molecular mechanisms in...
Source: Current Drug Abuse Reviews - November 14, 2014 Category: Addiction Tags: Curr Drug Abuse Rev Source Type: research
Recent topics on pharmacotherapy for amphetamine-type stimulants abuse and dependence.
Authors: Chen H, Wu J, Zhang J, Hashimoto K
Abstract
Abuse of amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS), including amphetamine, methamphetamine (METH), and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; ecstasy), has become a major public health problem worldwide. Use of these stimulants has significant psychiatric and medical consequences, including psychosis, dependence, overdose, and death. METH abuse in particular is an extremely serious and growing problem in many countries. The development of treatments for METH-related problems is particularly critical for users who experience persistent psychosis, pregnant women...
Source: Current Drug Abuse Reviews - November 14, 2014 Category: Addiction Tags: Curr Drug Abuse Rev Source Type: research
Behavioral and neurochemical studies in distinct animal models of ethanol's motivational effects.
Authors: Camarini R, Pautassi RM, Méndez M, Quadros IM, Souza-Formigoni ML, Boerngen-Lacerda R
Abstract
In the last decades, the goal of creating a unique and complete model of alcohol use and alcoholism has been replaced by a myriad of different animal models, each addressing a specific feature of problematic alcohol consumption. This mini-review highlights selected findings in the field of alcohol abuse and dependence, as found through the use of animal models. There are models (e.g., drinking in the dark, drinking after alcohol adulteration or alcohol deprivation) in which animals self-administer alcoh...
Source: Current Drug Abuse Reviews - November 14, 2014 Category: Addiction Tags: Curr Drug Abuse Rev Source Type: research
Alcoholism's evolutionary and cultural origins.
Authors: Abel EL
Abstract
Alcoholism's heritability has been convincingly documented but the question of why a disorder that is so damaging to the individual and to society should continue to persist is still baffling. A widely held assumption is that whatever genotype is involved, its components must originally have conferred survival value else it would never have evolved. The corollary to that assumption is that when conditions favoring that genotype changed, the former advantages became detrimental. However, the genotype has persisted because it does not affect sexual function, if at all, until after p...
Source: Current Drug Abuse Reviews - November 14, 2014 Category: Addiction Tags: Curr Drug Abuse Rev Source Type: research
The popularity of "legal highs".
Authors: Verster JC
PMID: 21309745 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] (Source: Current Drug Abuse Reviews)
Source: Current Drug Abuse Reviews - November 14, 2014 Category: Addiction Tags: Curr Drug Abuse Rev Source Type: research
A review of the psychometric properties of the CRAFFT instrument: 1999-2010.
CONCLUSION: The CRAFFT has adequate psychometric properties for detecting AUD and SUD in adolescents. However, more studies of the psychometric properties of the CRAFFT need to be carried out to further assess and improve generalizability to other populations. Gender and ethnic differences also require further examination, as do versions that are adapted for different languages and cultures.
PMID: 21466499 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] (Source: Current Drug Abuse Reviews)
Source: Current Drug Abuse Reviews - November 14, 2014 Category: Addiction Tags: Curr Drug Abuse Rev Source Type: research
Drug-related decrease in neuropsychological functions of abstinent drug users.
This article reviews neuropsychological performance in frequent users of cocaine, (meth)amphetamines, ecstasy, opiates, alcohol, and cannabis. We searched the scientific literature published in the last five years, focusing on studies that required at least 2 weeks of abstinence from drug use, and included a control group. All substances of abuse, except cannabis, were associated with sustained deficits in executive functioning, especially inhibition. In addition, verbal memory decrements were consistently found in cocaine, (meth)amphetamines and ecstasy users, but not in heroin or cannabis users. More specific executive f...
Source: Current Drug Abuse Reviews - November 14, 2014 Category: Addiction Tags: Curr Drug Abuse Rev Source Type: research
Buprenorphine and buprenorphine/naloxone diversion, misuse, and illicit use: an international review.
Authors: Yokell MA, Zaller ND, Green TC, Rich JD
Abstract
The diversion, misuse, and non-medically supervised use of buprenorphine and buprenorphine/naloxone by opioid users are reviewed. Buprenorphine and buprenorphine/naloxone are used globally as opioid analgesics and in the treatment of opioid dependency. Diversion of buprenorphine and buprenorphine/naloxone represents a complex medical and social issue, and has been widely documented in various geographical regions throughout the world. We first discuss the clinical properties of buprenorphine and its abuse potential. Second, we discuss its diversion ...
Source: Current Drug Abuse Reviews - November 14, 2014 Category: Addiction Tags: Curr Drug Abuse Rev Source Type: research
Unemployment and substance use: a review of the literature (1990-2010).
Authors: Henkel D
Abstract
The current article summarizes the results of a comprehensive review of the international research published between 1990 and 2010. The research was focused on the prevalence of substance use/disorders among the unemployed and employed, the impact of substance abuse on unemployment and vice versa, the effect of unemployment on alcohol/ drug addiction treatment and smoking cessation, and the relationship between business cycle, unemployment rate and substance use. Over hundred-thirty relevant studies were identified investigating these issues. The main results are as follows: (1) ...
Source: Current Drug Abuse Reviews - November 14, 2014 Category: Addiction Tags: Curr Drug Abuse Rev Source Type: research
Unjustified Concerns about Energy Drinks.
Authors: Verster JC, Alford C
PMID: 21466503 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] (Source: Current Drug Abuse Reviews)
Source: Current Drug Abuse Reviews - November 14, 2014 Category: Addiction Tags: Curr Drug Abuse Rev Source Type: research
MDMA & cannabis: a mini-review of cognitive, behavioral, and neurobiological effects of co-consumption.
In conclusion, there are few and somewhat contradictory studies examining the effects of co-use of these drugs on cognitive measures like impulsivity, memory and executive functions or underlying neurobiological alterations, and a shortage of animal studies examining long-term effects of chronic co-administration.
PMID: 21696342 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] (Source: Current Drug Abuse Reviews)
Source: Current Drug Abuse Reviews - November 14, 2014 Category: Addiction Tags: Curr Drug Abuse Rev Source Type: research
Immunotoxicity of cocaine and crack.
Authors: Stefanidou M, Loutsidou AC, Chasapis CT, Spiliopoulou CA
Abstract
The toxicity of cocaine and crack was studied on the protozoan Tetrahymena pyriformis, using several endpoints, such as the DNA content of the macronuclei and the phagocytic ability. Both forms induced an increase in the DNA content of the protozoan, which indicates the stimulation of the mitotic process. In contrast, the phagocytic activity, of the protozoan was decreased after the administration of cocaine, an effect that was more extensive after the administration of crack. These results, derived from previous experiments, sugges...
Source: Current Drug Abuse Reviews - November 14, 2014 Category: Addiction Tags: Curr Drug Abuse Rev Source Type: research
Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor abuse: a critical review.
Authors: Lowe G, Costabile R
Abstract
Abuse of sildenafil has been reported since its introduction in 1999 and commonly documented in combination with illicit drugs among men and women of all ages. Increased risks of sexually transmissible diseases including HIV have been associated with sildenafil use in men who have sex with men. Recognizing the abuse potential of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5), we aim to summarize the current knowledge of this abuse. An investigation of EMBASE, PubMed, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website, MedWatch, and search engines was performed to evaluate info...
Source: Current Drug Abuse Reviews - November 14, 2014 Category: Addiction Tags: Curr Drug Abuse Rev Source Type: research
Effect of the monoamine oxidase inhibition on rewarding effects of nicotine in rodents.
Authors: Kapelewski CH, Vandenbergh DJ, Klein LC
Abstract
Nicotine, the primary psychoactive compound in tobacco, is responsible for the addictive effects of smoking; however, there is a paucity of information indicating whether the presence of other biological chemicals in tobacco alters nicotine's rewarding effects. It has been suggested that the addictive effects of smoking may be due, in part, to the inhibition of the pair of monoamine oxidase enzymes responsible for a significant fraction of monoamine metabolism, Monoamine Oxidase A and B (MAO-A and MAO-B). This paper reviews the current, limited lite...
Source: Current Drug Abuse Reviews - November 14, 2014 Category: Addiction Tags: Curr Drug Abuse Rev Source Type: research
A critical review of treatment approaches for gambling disorders.
Authors: Stea JN, Hodgins DC
Abstract
This review presents the theoretical model, evidence base, and theoretical and methodological issues for seven treatment approaches to gambling disorders: 1) psychoanalytic and psychodynamic treatments, 2) Gamblers Anonymous, 3) behavioural treatments, 4) cognitive and cognitive-behavioural therapies, 5) brief, motivational, and self-directed interventions, 6) pharmacotherapies, and 7) family therapy approaches. Throughout the review, broader clinical and research issues are also discussed, including barriers to treatment-seeking, controlled gambling versus abstinence ...
Source: Current Drug Abuse Reviews - November 14, 2014 Category: Addiction Tags: Curr Drug Abuse Rev Source Type: research
