Background Human neuroimaging studies indicate that the loss of brain volume associated with substance abuse may be recovered during abstinence. Subcortical and prefrontal cortical regions involved in reward and decision-making are among the regions most consistently implicated in damage and recovery from substance abuse, but the relative capacities of these different brain regions to recover v...

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate neuronal apoptosis and expression of apoptosis related proteins (Fas, Caspase-3 and Bcl-2) in the brain of rates with morphine addiction. METHODS A total of 48 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 190-210 g were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=16 per group): morphine addiction group, morphine abstinence group and control group. Rats in the addict...

Methamphetamine is a popular drug of abuse that is neurotoxic to dopamine (DA) terminals when administered to laboratory animals. Studies in methamphetamine abusers have also documented significant loss of DA transporters (used as markers of the DA terminal) that are associated with slower motor function and decreased memory. The extent to which the loss of DA transporters predisposes methamphe...

BACKGROUND Currently the combined cognitive-behavioral and pharmacological treatment is the best option to quit smoking, although success rates remain moderate. This study aimed to identify predictors of continuous abstinence in an assisted smoking cessation program using combined treatment. In particular, we analyzed the effects of socio-demographic, smoking-, and treatment-related variables. ...

The scientific literature estimates that male infertility accounts for 30% to 40% of infertility among couples (13). Before fertility treatments can be initiated, it remains unclear on what should be the optimal period of sexual self-restraint required to warrant maximum quality sperm is achieved. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the abstinence time before medical examination s...

Current estimates of the prevalence of opioid withdrawal in newborns from the 2012 Better Outcomes Registry and Network Ontario reveal that more than 4 births per 1000 display recognizable symptoms of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). With a growing consensus surrounding aspects of newborn opioid withdrawal care, clinicians might agree that all infants exposed to maternal opioids require supp...

OBJECTIVES To compare alcohol use between depressed and nondepressed older adults, and to investigate correlates of alcohol abstinence and at-risk alcohol consumption in depressed older adults. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SETTING Netherlands Study of Depression in Older Persons (NESDO). PARTICIPANTS A total of 373 participants (mean [standard deviation] age: 70.6 [7.3] years; 66% women)...

The United States is experiencing an epidemic of opioid use, addiction, and neonatal abstinence syndrome. Consequentially, a great deal of public, and public health, attention has turned toward the timely recognition of pregnant women who use drugs. We explore the clinical efficacy and ethical acceptability of different methods of identification-contrasting drug testing (using biologic samples ...

Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is a growing public health concern, one that costs the health care system $190-$720 million each year. Recently, state-level perinatal quality collaborative groups have disseminated NAS action plans: customizable frameworks aimed to assist health care systems in identifying, evaluating, treating, and coordinating discharge services for neonates with NAS. Hospi...