NIDA Notes Articles: Addiction Science

Animal Studies Elaborate Toluene's Effects

June 2008
Reports on evidence that toluene abuse can harm the nervous system and body, although scientists know relatively little about its specific actions.

Not All Mesolimbic Dopamine Neurons Are Alike

March 2008
Reports on research showing that the neurons that deliver dopamine to two regions of the brain's mesolimbic reward system respond differently to opioids, an important finding for drug treatment research.

Alcohol Abuse Makes Prescription Drug Abuse More Likely

March 2008
Reports on results from a study showing that men and women with alcohol use disorders are more likely to report nonmedical use of prescription drugs than people who don't drink at all.

Epigenetics: The Promise of a New Science

March 2008

Discusses the role of epigenetics, the study of cellular mechanisms that control gene expression and its impacts on health and behavior, in addiction research.