A new study using brain scans and machine learning has identified two key brain regions, the anterior insula and ventral striatum, as crucial to psychosis in people with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome and those with psychosis of unknown causes. The findings support the theory that malfunctioning brain networks responsible for directing attention may lead to hallucinations and delusions. The study aims to pave the way for earlier diagnoses and better treatments for psychosis, potentially targeting these brain areas with existing treatments and studying the effects of antipsychotic medications.
A study conducted by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) has found that the way a drug is administered, whether through injection or orally, affects how the brain responds to its effects. The researchers discovered that the salience network, a brain region associated with drug addiction, is activated when drugs are taken intravenously but not when taken orally. The study also revealed that drugs that reach the brain more quickly are more addictive, partly due to dopamine release. This information could help inform treatment strategies and interventions for substance use disorders.
A new study conducted by researchers at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) has found that the brain's 'salience network' is only activated when drugs are taken intravenously, not orally. This finding offers insights into the mechanisms of addiction, as drugs that enter the brain quickly through injection or smoking have a higher addiction potential than those taken orally. The study used PET/fMRI imaging to compare dopamine levels and brain activity in response to methylphenidate administration in twenty adults. The activation of the salience network in the brain is associated with recognizing the subjective effects of drugs, and targeting this network could lead to the development of new treatments for substance use disorders.
A new study conducted by researchers at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) suggests that a group of brain regions known as the "salience network" is uniquely activated when drugs are taken intravenously, but not when taken orally. The study found that drugs that enter the brain quickly, such as through injection or smoking, are more addictive than when taken orally, and this difference may be due to the activation of the salience network. Understanding the brain mechanisms underlying addiction is crucial for developing new therapies for substance use disorders and addressing the overdose crisis.
Bruce Willis' recent diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) highlights the unique nature of this neurological disorder, which is characterized by the loss of emotional and cognitive control rather than memory. FTD typically affects younger individuals and is caused by the loss of von Economo neurons in the salience network of the brain. These neurons are responsible for initiating appropriate emotional and physical responses to complex thoughts and emotions. While there is currently no cure for FTD, computerized brain exercises have shown promise in maintaining the health of the salience network.
