Rays of hope for cocaine addictsPUBLISHED: 10 Apr 2013 00:34:19 | UPDATED: 11 Apr 2013 00:48:47PUBLISHED: 10 Apr 2013 PRINT EDITION: 10 Apr 2013
Addicts’ rays of hope
Excessive cocaine use causes damage in the brain but now US researchers think they may have found a way to turn off the addiction to this drug, at least in rats.
They have found that stimulating these damaged cells in the pre-frontal cortex can stem the addiction. The stimulation is performed using light.
Their research, published in Nature, used rats with induced cocaine addictions. Their compulsion to feed their addiction persisted even when they were given electric shocks in one paw every time they pushed a lever to receive the drug.
When stimulated with light, this compulsive behaviour was reduced. The researchers now “feel more confident than ever about the therapeutic promise of targeting that part of the brain”.
The study will begin human trials using less invasive methods.
Salt under pressure
A controversial review two years ago suggested lowering salt did not really reduce death from cardiovascular disease. Now three studies, published in the journal BMJ, reinforce the view that reducing salt intake lowers blood pressure.
A World Health Organisation study found reduced salt intake lowered blood pressure, the risk of stroke and the risk of heart disease.
A Cochrane review says even small salt reductions reduce blood pressure and overall cardiovascular events by 20 per cent. The authors recommend people reduce consumption to just 3 grams a day.
A third review, again from WHO, showed using potassium as a supplement has been linked with lower blood pressure in hypertensive adults.
While salt regulates the circulation of blood and fluids in the body, Australian health bodies recommend consuming fewer than 4 grams a day – almost an impossible task considering 75 per cent of our salt intake comes from processed foods.
Meat sounds alarm
Is lean, low-cholesterol red meat bad for you in large quantities? It may provide lots of protein, but it also causes heart disease.
While scientists previously thought the saturated fat and cholesterol content were the harbingers of cardiovascular disease, new studies suggest a nutrient in the meat itself is responsible.
Published in Nature Medicine journal, US researchers showed L-carnitine found in red meat reacts with bacteria in the stomach. The liver then converts it into a chemical called TMAO which is taken on by the blood, resulting in a higher risk of heart disease.
Researchers found regular meat eaters had more of the compound in their blood than vegans and vegetarians.
Clots of trouble
A type of drug used to treat asthma, auto-immune diseases and cancer has been found to increase the risk of vein thrombosis by up to three times in patients on systematic doses, according to a new Danish research.
The study of nearly 40,000 cases of vein thrombosis published in JAMA Internal Medicine journal found use of glucocorticoid drugs affects the way blood clots.
Those inhaling the drugs or on glucocorticoids that affect the intestine also have a greater risk of thrombosis as well as an increased chance of blockages to the pulmonary artery.
Edited by Primrose Riordan
The Australian Financial Review
|Topics||Health & Wellbeing|