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June 15, 2017

Patrick honored for neonatal abstinence syndrome research

Stephen W. Patrick, M.D., MPH, MS, has been chosen to receive the Nemours Child Health Services Research Award, recognizing his work surrounding neonatal abstinence syndrome, a drug withdrawal syndrome experienced by infants exposed to opioids while in utero.

By Christina Echegaray
July 18, 2016

Diabetes drugs may ease addiction

Drugs that are being used clinically to treat obesity and diabetes may also have a role in treating drug abuse.

By Bill Snyder
Image of pain pills (iStock Photo)
June 23, 2016

Drug monitoring programs reduce opioid deaths: study

The implementation of state prescription drug monitoring programs was associated with the prevention of approximately one opioid-related overdose death every two hours on average nationwide, according to a new Vanderbilt-led study released this week in the journal “Health Affairs.”

By Christina Echegaray
May 13, 2016

New pain medicine from a fungus?

Collybolide – a natural product isolated from a mushroom – is a promising candidate for the development of non-addictive pain medicines.

By Sanjay Mishra
DNA sequence visualization
April 1, 2016

New role identified for p73 gene

The p73 gene is required for the generation of cilia – hair-like projections on cells – findings that could have implications for the study of lung diseases and sterility.

By VUMC News and Communications
January 23, 2015

New view of dopamine heteromers

Although heteromeric dopamine receptors composed of both D1 and D2 subunits have been proposed to play a role in depression and schizophrenia, recent studies suggest these heteromers do not exist.

By VUMC News and Communications
July 21, 2014

Reversing stress-induced anxiety

Augmenting the signals of natural “endocannabinoids” in the brain may be a promising approach for treating mood and anxiety disorders.
By Leigh MacMillan
April 24, 2014

New view of neurotransmitter transport

Dynamic measurements of the bacterial leucine transporter shed light on the transporters that play roles in neuropsychiatric and addiction disorders.
By Leigh MacMillan
January 10, 2014

A pain in the … genes

Vanderbilt researchers have discovered that variation in the gene encoding the potassium channel GIRK1 plays a role in modulating human pain perception.
By Leigh MacMillan
December 21, 2012

Low prenatal alcohol’s brain impact

Even relatively low levels of in utero alcohol exposure impact fetal brain development, and the effects last into adulthood, study finds.
By VUMC News and Communications
May 15, 2012

New clue to ADHD

A rare genetic change adds support to the idea that altered dopamine signaling is a key risk factor for ADHD.
By Bill Snyder
June 24, 2011

Cocaine’s effects on the teenage brain

Cocaine exposure during the teen years causes long-lasting brain and behavioral changes in rats.
By VUMC News and Communications
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