Researchers from Rockefeller University and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have made a discovery regarding the effects of addictive drugs like cocaine and morphine on our brains. They analysed the brain's reward pathway, and tried to answer why these substances can takeover our natural desires for essential needs such as food and water.

Lead researcher Jeffrey Friedman said, "We've known for decades that natural rewards, like food, and drugs can activate the same brain region. But what we've just learned is that they impact neural activity in strikingly different ways."&nbsp;

"One of the big takeaways here is that addictive drugs have pathologic effects on these neural pathways, that's distinct from, say, the physiologic response to eating a meal when you are hungry or drinking a glass of water when you are thirsty," he added.

<h2>How did they perform this study?</h2>

Using mouse models, the research team employed a comprehensive approach to study the impact of cocaine and morphine on the brain's reward circuits. By mapping brain activity, imaging neurons, and analysing genetic activity, they tried to understand how these drugs influence neural pathways.

The study reveals the crucial role of the nucleus accumbens (NAc) in both typical brain functions and drug rewards. Neurons projecting to the NAc from the orbitofrontal cortex are implicated in reducing natural reward responses when activated by drug use.

"The NAc is a key node where the underlying dopaminoceptive neurons direct and refine animals' behaviours towards their goals," neuroscientist Bowen Tan told Science Alert. "What we hadn't been able to understand is how repeated exposure to drugs corrupts these neurons, resulting in escalated drug-seeking behaviors and a shift away from healthy goals," he added.

<h2>How do cocaine and morphine affect our brain differently?</h2>

While cocaine and morphine activate specific subsets of neurons in the NAc, their effects differ. Cocaine, a potent stimulant, and morphine, an opioid, elicit unique responses in the brain, ultimately altering behaviour and preference for these drugs over basic needs.

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"By tracking these cells, we show that not only are similar cells activated across reward classes, but also that cocaine and morphine elicit initially stronger responses than food or water, and this actually magnifies with increasing exposure," neuroscientist Caleb Browne said. "After withdrawal from the drugs, these same cells exhibit disorganized responses to natural rewards in a manner that may resemble some of the negative affective states seen in withdrawal in substance use disorder," he added.

Repeated exposure to cocaine and morphine leads to a shift in behaviour, with mice exhibiting increased interest in drugs and decreased interest in food and water. This change is accompanied by alterations in neuron communication, affecting how the brain processes rewards from natural stimuli.

The study identifies a protein encoded by the Rheb gene that interferes with typical neuron communication, contributing to addiction-related behaviors. Understanding these pathways opens avenues for developing targeted therapies to combat addiction.

Researchers from Rockefeller University and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have made a discovery regarding the effects of addictive drugs like cocaine and morphine on our brains.

Researchers from Rockefeller University and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have made a discovery regarding the effects of addictive drugs like cocaine and morphine on our brains. They analysed the brain's reward pathway, and tried to answer why these substances can takeover our natural desires for essential needs such as food and water. Lead researcher Jeffrey Friedman said, "We've known for decades that natural rewards, like food, and drugs can activate the same brain region. But what we've just learned is that they impact neural activity in strikingly different ways." "One of the big takeaways here is that addictive drugs have pathologic effects on these neural pathways, that's distinct from, say, the physiologic response to eating a meal when you are hungry or drinking a glass of water when you are thirsty," he added. How did they perform this study? Using mouse models, the research team employed a comprehensive approach to study the impact of cocaine and morphine on the brain's reward circuits. By mapping brain activity, imaging neurons, and analysing genetic activity, they tried to understand how these drugs influence neural pathways. The study reveals the crucial role of the nucleus accumbens (NAc) in both typical brain functions and drug rewards. Neurons projecting to the NAc from the orbitofrontal cortex are implicated in reducing natural reward responses when activated by drug use. "The NAc is a key node where the underlying dopaminoceptive neurons direct and refine animals' behaviours towards their goals," neuroscientist Bowen Tan told Science Alert. "What we hadn't been able to understand is how repeated exposure to drugs corrupts these neurons, resulting in escalated drug-seeking behaviors and a shift away from healthy goals," he added. How do cocaine and morphine affect our brain differently? While cocaine and morphine activate specific subsets of neurons in the NAc, their effects differ. Cocaine, a potent stimulant, and morphine, an opioid, elicit unique responses in the brain, ultimately altering behaviour and preference for these drugs over basic needs. Also read: What is 'Vampire Facial', cosmetic procedure linked with HIV cases in the US? "By tracking these cells, we show that not only are similar cells activated across reward classes, but also that cocaine and morphine elicit initially stronger responses than food or water, and this actually magnifies with increasing exposure," neuroscientist Caleb Browne said. "After withdrawal from the drugs, these same cells exhibit disorganized responses to natural rewards in a manner that may resemble some of the negative affective states seen in withdrawal in substance use disorder," he added. Repeated exposure to cocaine and morphine leads to a shift in behaviour, with mice exhibiting increased interest in drugs and decreased interest in food and water. This change is accompanied by alterations in neuron communication, affecting how the brain processes rewards from natural stimuli. The study identifies a protein encoded by the Rheb gene that interferes with typical neuron communication, contributing to addiction-related behaviors. Understanding these pathways opens avenues for developing targeted therapies to combat addiction.

Cocaine and morphine trump food and water in brain’s reward hierarchy: Study

Scientists in Brazil have developed a new treatment for crack, and cocaine: a vaccine. The drug will work in an innovative way, by depriving users of the "high".&nbsp;

It is called "Calixcoca," and here's everything you need to know about this vaccine for cocaine.

<h2>How Calixcoca works</h2>

The vaccine, as per an AFP report, triggers an immune response, which blocks the high from cocaine and its derivatives and stops it from reaching the brain.

As per the report, the immune response trigger will make a patient's body produce antibodies that bind cocaine molecules to the bloodstream. The enlarged molecules will be rendered too large to pass into the brain's "reward centre" or the mesolimbic system that is stimulated by cocaine to produce dopamine&nbsp;— the pleasure-inducing reward chemical.

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Once vaccinated, the drug will potentially help people break the cycle of addiction. Basically, despite consuming the drug, they won't get the high they're seeking.

Last week the project won 500,000 euros ($530,000) — the top prize at the Euro Health Innovation Awards for Latin American medicine.

<h2>Does it actually work?</h2>

Scientists have tested the drug on animals, and it has shown promising results, producing significant levels of antibodies against cocaine. Side effects were few and furthermore, the vaccine was found to help protect rat foetuses against cocaine.&nbsp;

This, as per the scientists behind the innovative drug, can help protect the unborn babies of pregnant addicts.

After promising results in animals, the vaccine is now set to enter the next stage of trials on humans.

<h2>Why did no one think of a vaccine for cocaine earlier?</h2>

They did. In the United States, which, as per the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, happens to be the world's top consumer, similar studies were carried out.&nbsp;

However, when clinical trials didn't show sufficient results, these studies were stalled, said psychiatrist Frederico Garcia, coordinator of the team that developed the treatment at the Federal University of Minas Gerais.

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As per Garcia, "There's no specific registered treatment for cocaine and crack addiction. We currently use a combination of psychological counselling, social assistance and rehabilitation, when necessary."&nbsp;

He further warned that the drug would be a supplementary treatment in addition to rehab and wouldn't be a "panacea" that could be administered to anyone. It is meant for recovering addicts "who are off (cocaine) and want to stay that way," he told AFP.

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

Scientists in Brazil have developed a new treatment for crack, and cocaine: a vaccine. The drug will work in an innovative way, by depriving users of the "high".

Scientists in Brazil have developed a new treatment for crack, and cocaine: a vaccine. The drug will work in an innovative way, by depriving users of the "high". It is called "Calixcoca," and here's everything you need to know about this vaccine for cocaine. How Calixcoca works The vaccine, as per an AFP report, triggers an immune response, which blocks the high from cocaine and its derivatives and stops it from reaching the brain. As per the report, the immune response trigger will make a patient's body produce antibodies that bind cocaine molecules to the bloodstream. The enlarged molecules will be rendered too large to pass into the brain's "reward centre" or the mesolimbic system that is stimulated by cocaine to produce dopamine — the pleasure-inducing reward chemical. Also read | Will Wikipedia become 'Di**ipedia'? Elon Musk offers $1 billion for NSFW name change Once vaccinated, the drug will potentially help people break the cycle of addiction. Basically, despite consuming the drug, they won't get the high they're seeking. Last week the project won 500,000 euros ($530,000) — the top prize at the Euro Health Innovation Awards for Latin American medicine. Does it actually work? Scientists have tested the drug on animals, and it has shown promising results, producing significant levels of antibodies against cocaine. Side effects were few and furthermore, the vaccine was found to help protect rat foetuses against cocaine. This, as per the scientists behind the innovative drug, can help protect the unborn babies of pregnant addicts. After promising results in animals, the vaccine is now set to enter the next stage of trials on humans. Why did no one think of a vaccine for cocaine earlier? They did. In the United States, which, as per the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, happens to be the world's top consumer, similar studies were carried out. However, when clinical trials didn't show sufficient results, these studies were stalled, said psychiatrist Frederico Garcia, coordinator of the team that developed the treatment at the Federal University of Minas Gerais. Also read | NASA readies to launch Roman telescope for humanity's farthest-ever peek into Milky Way galaxy As per Garcia, "There's no specific registered treatment for cocaine and crack addiction. We currently use a combination of psychological counselling, social assistance and rehabilitation, when necessary." He further warned that the drug would be a supplementary treatment in addition to rehab and wouldn't be a "panacea" that could be administered to anyone. It is meant for recovering addicts "who are off (cocaine) and want to stay that way," he told AFP. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists develop a vaccine for cocaine. Here's how it works

The 1992 World Cup winner and one of the greatest fast Bowlers of all time Wasim Akram has now confessed that he had got addicted to cocaine post his retirement from cricket.

'I was addicted to cocaine post retirement': Akram's big revelation in his autobiography