Flipping the main switch in the central reward system?

Article Abstract:

Cocaine is the most addictive substance known, according to animal researchers, who have observed that animals ranging from mice to monkeys self-administer cocaine faster than any other drug and will continue until they die. Cocaine addiction in humans develops faster than addiction to opiates, and crack cocaine addiction is particularly rapid. Researchers have made much progress in understanding how cocaine affects the brain. While no medication effective at stopping the craving has been found, chemicals have been identified that can reduce the craving, dampen the high (euphoria), and limit post-high irritability and depression. Cocaine creates its high by causing the brain to be flooded with dopamine, a neurotransmitter. The biochemical interactions of dopamine and cocaine are being studied in the brain nerve cells of rats. Cocaine may share certain brain pathways with other addictive drugs, all of which may activate a central reward mechanism. Different drugs clearly have overlapping effects because many individuals are addicted to several drugs, or find that addiction to one substance makes them automatically vulnerable to another addictive drug. While multiple addictions make treatment difficult, shared brain pathways may help scientists develop a medication that can treat many addictions simultaneously.

Physiological aspects, Substance abuse, Drug abuse

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Street-wise crack research

Article Abstract:

A new breed of social scientists, called street ethnographers, are living in the dangerous world of crack dealers and addicts to learn firsthand about their lives. One well-educated street ethnographer works at night in the crack houses, talking with and observing addicts in a predominantly Hispanic and black neighborhood of New York City. He attempts to discover why people get addicted to crack, how the market operates, and how crack affects social and economic structures in the community. The science of crack ethnography has developed in the years since 1985 when this cheap and highly addictive drug became available. In the past, ethnography struggled for adequate funding, but now that the government has made the war on drugs a top priority, this information is valuable to officials. Drawing conclusions about the influence of crack on crime and violence is difficult because the crack epidemic is growing at the same time that the cities are decaying, AIDS is spreading, and education is failing. Some inner-city scientists question whether policy-makers will accept the answers the ethnographers find; the realities of crack addiction may not fit well with traditional policies that emphasize moral restraint.

Methods, Drug traffic, Drug dealing, Subculture, Criminal anthropology

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New populations of old add to poor nations' burdens

Article Abstract:

Aa variety of factors including improved nutrition and medical care have extended life expectancy for people of all nations, but developing nations face the most obstacles to providing adequate care. Policies are needed now for managing future populations of elderly.

Health aspects, Aged, Elderly, International aspects, Developing countries, Medical policy, Health policy

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