Opiate addiction is largely controlled by the formation of powerful reward memories.

Neuroscientists at Western University (London, Canada) have made a remarkable new discovery revealing the underlying molecular process by which opiate addiction develops in the brain. Opiate addiction is largely controlled by the formation of powerful reward memories that link the pleasurable effects of opiate-class drugs to environmental triggers that induce drug craving in individuals addicted to opiates. The research is published in the September 11th issue of The Journal of Neuroscience.

 Logo - No Stress - Phone NumberWant an Easy Way to Quit an Addiction..NeuroFeedback has an APP for that…

Call or Text us for an Introductory NeuroFeedback Session in Our Kitsilano, Vancouver, BC Location. 604-785-1709

BOOK ONLINE: www.no-stress-success.com

 

The Addiction Research Group led by Steven Laviolette of the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry was able to identify how exposure to heroin induces a specific switch in a memory molecule in a region of the brain called the basolateral amygdala, which is involved importantly in controlling memories related to opiate addiction, withdrawal, and relapse. Using a rodent model of opiate addiction, Laviolette’s team found that the process of opiate addiction and withdrawal triggered a switch between two molecular pathways in the amygdala controlling how opiate addiction memories were formed. In the non-dependent state, they found that a molecule called extracellular signal-related kinase or “ERK” was recruited for early stage addiction memories. However, once opiate addiction had developed, the scientists observed a functional switch to a separate molecular memory pathway, controlled by a molecule called calmodulin-dependent kinase II or “CaMKII.”

 

Read More: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/09/130910205433.htm