Did you know that some brain cells respond to both addictive drugs and natural rewards? This has made developing targeted treatments difficult. NIH researchers have developed a way to control neuron activity in a specific part of the brain only when cocaine is present, helping block the effects of cocaine but not food rewards. Read more about the discovery here: https://lnkd.in/etxXmRhZ
This is a fantastic research article, but the idea that we're ever going to use chemogenetics like this in humans is a little farfetched.
Great information 😊
This is a remarkable leap in precision neuroscience. With a background in therapeutic research, I’m especially intrigued by the ability to selectively modulate neuron activity in response to cocaine without disrupting natural reward pathways. That level of specificity has long been a barrier in addiction science, where overlapping circuits for pleasure and compulsion complicate treatment. By targeting cocaine-sensitive neurons while preserving responses to essential stimuli like food, NIH researchers are paving the way for therapies that are both effective and behaviorally safe. This kind of innovation could redefine how we approach substance use disorders moving from broad suppression to intelligent, circuit-level intervention.
Understanding how the brain differentiates responses to drugs versus natural rewards is a major step forward. Targeted therapies informed by this kind of research could change the future of addiction treatment.
📌📌My Prediction 🔬 Enhanced treatments for addiction will emerge. 🧠 Specific targeting of neuron activity will revolutionize rehabilitation. 💊 Drug-therapy balance will be crucial. Is there a way to reward neurons with pizza instead of drugs? 🍕
Wonder if this is similar in any way to B3. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Founder, Bill Wilson, answered an interviewer as to what he thought his legacy should be. He did not say AA. He said Vitamin B3 that was proven to help addicts- reduced the urge to drink. It was not put into 12-steps as he had hoped, since it was a pill, wanted God to be the goal. Maybe B3 will help addiction for cocaine too- cheap so no trials likely to be done as those are usuallt by drug companies IF profitable enough.
Fascinating breakthrough! 🧠✨ Targeting brain cells to block the effects of cocaine without affecting natural rewards is a huge step forward in addiction research. Excited to see how this could lead to more precise and effective treatments. 🙌💡 #AddictionResearch #Neuroscience #InnovationInMedicine #NIH
Cool!
A remarkable advancement by National Institutes of Health researchers in neuroscience! Discovering a method to selectively control neuron activity only in the presence of cocaine marks a significant step forward in developing targeted addiction treatments. This approach delicately blocks the effects of cocaine while preserving natural reward responses, offering new hope for more precise therapeutic interventions. Such innovations pave the way for improved understanding and management of substance use disorders. 🧠💡🔬 For More, visit our page: marketaccesstoday.com #AddictionTreatment #BrainResearch #HealthcareInnovation #Neuroscience #MarketAccess #MarketAccessToday
A huge step for neuropsychiatric drug development. A therapy that only activates in the presence of the drug of abuse is the key to selectively blocking its effects while preserving natural reward pathways.