The researchers found that opioid withdrawal impacts gene regulation. That leads to the development of myelin, a substance that insulates nerve fibers in the brain. When opioid withdrawal occurs, myelin is damaged, which can lead to changes in decision-making and self-control.
As part of their study, researchers injected mice with oxycodone and monitored their behavior.
Psychology graduate student Olivia Law helped conduct the study.
"So about 24 to 48 hours after repeated oxycodone administration, we found that mice who were going through withdrawal actually showed reduced social behavior. So that was one of our findings," she said.
Researcher Jessica Verpeut also contributed to the study.
“So we can learn a lot about what is happening in the brain from these behavior metrics without having to dissect the brain all the time. And so we want to understand these behaviors so we can correlate them back to human behavior as well," she said.
By analyzing these behaviors and biological changes, researchers can explore treatment and recovery options for opioid addiction.
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It's a lesson every doctor learns eventually: Don’t always assume that what you see tells the whole story. Medical commentator Dr. Joseph Sirven explains. -
As communities across the West keep a close eye on water supplies and wildfire risk, a new federal drought forecast highlights where relief may be on the way, and where dry conditions are likely to continue. -
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Mesa is awarding funds to youth ages 15 to 24 so they can develop their own climate conservation projects. The Mesa Youth Climate Action Fund gives young adults and teens $1,000 to $5,000 to help support the city’s environmental goals. -
Health insurance companies in the Affordable Care Act marketplace are seeking an average premium increase of 25% in Arizona for 2027.
