Category: From Newswise – Addiction

Newswise — University of Maryland School of Medicine Researchers Identify Neurobiological Changes Leading to Increase Release of the Brain Chemical Dopamine and Its Target Neurons Linked to Addiction-Like Behavior 

With the increased legalization of recreational cannabis, as many as 1 in 5 pregnant women in the U.S. are now using the drug to help with morning sickness, lower back pain or anxiety. Evidence has been growing, however, to suggest that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, poses risks to the developing fetus by impacting brain development. Now a new study finds that this could increase the risk of addiction to opioids later in life.  

The preclinical animal study, led by researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, was published in the journal Science Advances. It found that prenatal exposure to THC causes a rewiring of the fetal brain.  THC caused certain brain cells, called dopamine neurons, to respond in a hyperactive way, causing a heightened increase in dopamine release.  This was accompanied by heightened neuronal responsiveness to cues associated with rewards like a light turning on to indicate that food or an opioid drug was available.

“Doctors are contending with an explosion of cannabis use, and the THC content has quadrupled from what it was a generation ago,” said study corresponding author Joseph Cheer, PhD, a Professor of Neurobiology and Psychiatry at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. “It demonstrates the enduring consequences that prenatal cannabis exposure exerts on the brain’s reward system, which ultimately results in a neurobiological vulnerability to opioid drugs.”

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that doctors counsel patients on concerns about potential adverse health consequences of continued use of cannabis during pregnancy. Dr. Cheer and others doing research on THC exposure during pregnancy are racing to learn more about the health consequences on developing fetuses to help doctors better counsel their patients on the drug’s effects.

To conduct this new study, he and his colleagues found that fetuses exposed to a moderately low dose of THC (equivalent to their mothers smoking one to two joints per day) developed changes in how their reward system functioned, causing them to develop an at-risk phenotype for opioid seeking. Animals previously exposed to THC in utero display a dramatically increased motivation to press a lever that would deliver a dose of opioid drugs compared to those that were not previously exposed to THC. 

When THC-exposed animals reached early adulthood, they were more likely to show enhanced opioid-seeking and were more likely to relapse upon opioid-associated environmental cues compared to those animals who were not exposed to THC in the womb. They were also more likely to develop persistent addiction-like behaviors.

In a follow-up experiment, the researchers implanted tiny sensors in the animals’ brains and measured heightened dopamine release, accompanied by activity in neurons that over-represented opioid-related cues, in the rats exhibiting strong addiction-like behaviors.

“These observations support the hypothesis of a hypersensitized ‘wanting’ system that develops in the brain after exposure to THC during prenatal development,“  said Dr. Cheer. “Interestingly, we found that this opioid-seeking phenotype occurs significantly more in males compared to females, and we are currently performing research with our colleagues at UMSOM, to determine why this is the case.” 

Dr. Cheer’s previous work published in the journal Nature Neuroscience found prenatal exposure to THC makes the brain’s dopamine neurons hyperactive, which may contribute to an increased risk of psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia. His work has been independently verified by three independent laboratories throughout the world.

Along with his colleague Mary Kay Lobo, PhD, Professor of Neurobiology at UMSOM, Dr. Cheer serves as the co-director of the Center for Substance Use in Pregnancy, which is part of UMSOM’s Kahlert Institute for Addiction Medicine. The two are working with a team of researchers to investigate the enduring effects of drug and alcohol exposure in the womb.

“We need to more fully understand the enduring effects of THC exposure in the womb and whether we can reverse some of the deleterious effects through CRISPR-based gene therapies or repurposed drugs,” said UMSOM Dean Mark T. Gladwin, MD, who is the John Z. and Akiko K. Bowers Distinguished Professor and vice president for medical affairs at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. “We also need to provide better advice to pregnant patients, many of whom are using cannabis to help control anxiety because they think this drug is safer for their baby than traditional anti-anxiety medications.”  

The study was funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (Grant: R01 DA022340)  (Grant: K99 DA060209).  UMSOM faculty member Miguel A. Lujan, PhD, a research associate in Neurobiology, was the first author of the paper. 

About the University of Maryland School of Medicine

Now in its third century, the University of Maryland School of Medicine was chartered in 1807 as the first public medical school in the United States. It continues today as one of the fastest growing, top-tier biomedical research enterprises in the world — with 46 academic departments, centers, institutes, and programs, and a faculty of more than 3,000 physicians, scientists, and allied health professionals, including members of the National Academy of Medicine and the National Academy of Sciences, and a distinguished two-time winner of the Albert E. Lasker Award in Medical Research. With an operating budget of more than $1.2 billion, the School of Medicine works closely in partnership with the University of Maryland Medical Center and Medical System to provide research-intensive, academic, and clinically based care for nearly 2 million patients each year. The School of Medicine has more than $500 million in extramural funding, with most of its academic departments highly ranked among all medical schools in the nation in research funding. As one of the seven professional schools that make up the University of Maryland, Baltimore campus, the School of Medicine has a total population of nearly 9,000 faculty and staff, including 2,500 students, trainees, residents, and fellows. The School of Medicine, which ranks as the 8th highest among public medical schools in research productivity (according to the Association of American Medical Colleges profile) is an innovator in translational medicine, with 606 active patents and 52 start-up companies. In the latest U.S. News & World Report ranking of the Best Medical Schools, published in 2023, the UM School of Medicine is ranked #10 among the 92 public medical schools in the U.S., and in the top 16 percent (#32) of all 192 public and private U.S. medical schools. The School of Medicine works locally, nationally, and globally, with research and treatment facilities in 36 countries around the world. Visit medschool.umaryland.edu

Newswise — Pennsylvania legislators and top medical experts will come together to address the growing xylazine crisis at an upcoming free symposium. The event, titled “The Next Chapter of the Opioid Epidemic in Pennsylvania: The Xylazine Crisis,” will be held on November 23, 2024, at the Bluemle Life Science Building at Jefferson Med in Philadelphia.

State Representative Rick Krajewski (D, Philadelphia), Subcommittee Chair on Health Care for the House Health Committee (Majority), and State Representative Mary Jo Daley (D, Montgomery), House Democratic Chair of the Women’s Health Caucus, will be among the key speakers at the symposium. Their participation underscores the importance of this issue at the state level and the need for collaborative efforts between policymakers and healthcare professionals.

The symposium, organized by the Rothman Orthopaedic Institute Foundation for Opioid Research & Education, will run from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm and is open to all medical professionals and students across Pennsylvania. This no-cost event offers a unique opportunity to gain critical insights into the xylazine crisis from legislative and medical perspectives.

In addition to the legislators, the symposium will feature presentations from a diverse group of medical experts. Daniel (Danny) Teixeira da Silva, MD, MSHP, Medical Director of the Division of Substance Use Prevention and Harm Reduction at the Philadelphia Health Department, will bring valuable insights from the public health sector.

The event comes at a crucial time as Pennsylvania grapples with the increasing impact of xylazine, a veterinary tranquilizer that has infiltrated the state’s illicit drug supply. Xylazine, commonly known as “tranq,” is a veterinary tranquilizer that has been found in illicit drug supplies, often mixed with fentanyl without users’ knowledge. The drug can cause dangerous decreases in breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure and is not affected by traditional overdose reversal medications.  Repeated xylazine use is associated with skin wounds, including open sores and abscesses.

The symposium will cover topics such as understanding the xylazine crisis, public policy related to xylazine, and medical and surgical management of xylazine-related issues. Sessions include Bioethical Considerations of Surgical Management, Harm Reduction Strategies for Xylazine Exposure, Surgical Management Strategies (Debridement), Surgical Management Strategies (Flap), Surgical Management Strategies (Wound Care), and an Inpatient Addiction Medicine Strategy. Several sessions on public policy and Xylazine will also be held.

The event’s chairpersons are Dr. Asif Ilyas, President of the Rothman Opioid Foundation and Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Drexel University College of Medicine, and Dr. Katherine Woozely, Head of Orthopaedic Hand and Nerve Surgery and Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University.

The program will feature presentations from experts in various fields, including toxicology, addiction medicine, orthopaedic surgery, plastic surgery, and family medicine.  Speakers include Rachel Haroz, MD, Head of Toxicology and Addiction Medicine and Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University; Andrew Miller, Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University; Lisa Rae, MD, Associate Professor of Surgery at Temple University School of Medicine; Mark Solarz, MD, Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University;  Rick Tosti, MD, Assistant Program Director of Hand Surgery and Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University; Lara Weinstein, MD; Program Director of Addiction Medicine and Professor of Family Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University; and Jason Wink, MD, Assistant Professor of Plastic Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine; and Erum Ilyas, MD, Associate Professor and the interim academic chair of the provisional Department of Dermatology at Drexel University. Jonathan Bigley of the government relations firm Bigley & Blikle will lead a panel discussion Q&A. 

Interested participants can register for the symposium at https://www.rothmanopioid.org/. While the symposium will not grant CME credit, it offers a valuable opportunity for medical professionals and students to gain insights into the emerging xylazine crisis and its impact on public health in Pennsylvania.

About the Rothman Institute Foundation for Opioid Research and Education.

The Rothman Orthopaedic Foundation, for short, is a non-profit 501c3 organization dedicated to raising awareness of the ongoing opioid crisis, educating physicians and patients on safe opioid prescribing and use – respectively, and advising policymakers on sound opioid and pain management policy. Most importantly, the Rothman Opioid Foundation performs and supports the highest quality research on opioids and alternative pain modalities to yield findings that can better inform patients, physicians, and the greater healthcare community in the most evidenced-based pain management strategies while working to mitigate opioid abuse and addiction. https://www.rothmanopioid.org/

Newswise — PLYMOUTH MEETING, PA [November 13, 2024] — The National Comprehensive Cancer Network^® (NCCN^®)—an alliance of leading cancer centers—today announced the publication of a new patient guideline designed to provide critical support and guidance for individuals with cancer who are seeking to quit smoking. Continued smoking elevates the risk of developing additional cancers, reduces the effectiveness of treatment, exacerbates treatment side effects, and is associated with shorter survival. The new NCCN Guidelines for Patients^®: Quitting Smoking explains how to best use the tools that exist to help anyone quit for good. While focused on smoking cessation strategies in people with cancer, the information is also useful for smokers who do not have a cancer diagnosis.

“For every patient with cancer who is smoking at diagnosis or anytime during their cancer journey, quitting is absolutely possible. Quitting earlier is better, but any time helps,” said Peter G. Shields, MD, of The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute. Dr. Shields serves as Chair of the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines^®) Panel for Smoking Cessation, which develops evidence-based, expert consensus-driven recommendations intended for care providers. “By empowering patients with the same information that doctors use, we aim to make quitting smoking a more achievable goal, even for those who have struggled in the past. Smoking cessation requires the active work of both the patient and the health care provider. These patient guidelines are so critical for closing that loop for best success.”

The NCCN Guidelines for Patients: Quitting Smoking offers a fresh perspective and renewed hope for those who have previously tried to quit smoking without success and those who want to quit but haven’t yet taken initial steps. The book takes an encouraging, judgement-free approach, recognizing that slips and lapses are common and that a combination of therapies, rather than a one-size-fits-all solution, is often the key to success. It features multiple evidence-based options, including details on nicotine replacement therapy (NRTs), behavior therapy, and non-nicotine medicines.

The NCCN Guidelines for Patients: Quitting Smoking are available to view or download for free online at NCCN.org/patientguidelines or via the NCCN Patient Guides for Cancer App, thanks to funding from the NCCN Foundation^®. Printed versions are available for a nominal fee at Amazon.com. A Spanish version will also be publishing soon.

“People with cancer understand the critical importance of quitting smoking, but the addiction is powerful. These NCCN Guidelines for Patients are designed to engage patients actively in their own care, turning smoking cessation into a collaborative, two-way conversation between patient and caregivers and their care team,” added Dr. Shields. “They offer easy-to-understand tools and support needed to make this challenging journey a success.”

“People with cancer have more than enough stress in their lives,” noted Patrick Delaney, Executive Director of the NCCN Foundation. “They and their doctors are engaged first and foremost with addressing the cancer itself. We hope this new patient guideline can be an added resource that empowers people to recognize they have options when it comes to quitting smoking, even while they may be focused on other medical treatments.”

The full library of NCCN Guidelines for Patients includes more than 70 free books providing people with cancer and their loved ones with easy-to-understand information about prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and supportive care for nearly every type of cancer. They have received numerous awards over the years and are widely recognized as a trustworthy source for free health information online.

Other supportive care topics covered by the NCCN Guidelines for Patients include how to manage fatigue, distress, or nausea and vomiting during cancer treatment. Visit NCCN.org/patients to view all of the books and other informational offerings in multiple languages.

To help support NCCN patient guidelines, patient webinars, and other free resources for people with cancer and their caregivers, visit NCCN.org/foundation.

# # #

About the National Comprehensive Cancer Network

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network^® (NCCN^®) is a not-for-profit alliance of leading cancer centers devoted to patient care, research, and education. NCCN is dedicated to improving and facilitating quality, effective, equitable, and accessible cancer care so all patients can live better lives. The NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines^®) provide transparent, evidence-based, expert consensus recommendations for cancer treatment, prevention, and supportive services; they are the recognized standard for clinical direction and policy in cancer management and the most thorough and frequently-updated clinical practice guidelines available in any area of medicine. The NCCN Guidelines for Patients^® provide expert cancer treatment information to inform and empower patients and caregivers, through support from the NCCN Foundation^®. NCCN also advances continuing education, global initiatives, policy, and research collaboration and publication in oncology. Visit NCCN.org for more information.

About the NCCN Foundation

The NCCN Foundation empowers people with cancer and their caregivers by delivering unbiased expert guidance from the world’s leading cancer experts through the library of NCCN Guidelines for Patients® and other patient education resources. The NCCN Foundation is also committed to advancing cancer treatment by funding the nation’s promising young investigators at the forefront of cancer research. For more information about the NCCN Foundation, visit nccnfoundation.org.

Newswise — Online e-cigarette retailers are not consistently adhering to laws aimed at preventing the sale of vaping products to minors, including regulations on age verification, shipping methods and flavor restrictions, report researchers at the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science at University of California San Diego.

In a study published online on Nov. 11, 2024 in JAMA, researchers asked 16 people to purchase flavored vape products online and have them delivered to their homes in the County of San Diego, then analyzed the results of these attempted purchases. Of 156 attempted transactions 73% were processed and 67% were delivered.

As of March 21, 2024, sale restrictions on flavored tobacco have been enacted in eight U.S. states and 392 cities or counties, but some of these do not cover e-commerce. For example, the 2022 California Senate Bill (SB) 793 prohibited the sale of flavored tobacco products but left e-commerce restrictions ambiguous.

Due to the ambiguity in California law, the researchers aimed to test differences in compliance with local tobacco e-commerce ordinances. Eight buyers were from the City of San Diego, where an ordinance restricts the sale of flavored tobacco products, including online sales. The other eight were from other County of San Diego communities, which do not have the same restrictions. Delivery did not differ significantly between buyers in these two jurisdictions.

In addition to violations of flavor restrictions, the online purchases violated the Preventing Online Sales of E-Cigarettes to Children Act, a federal law prohibiting the use of the United States Postal Service (USPS) to ship vaping products and requires both age verification and scanning identifications upon delivery.

“There are longstanding surveillance systems in place that help implement laws at brick-and-mortar stores, but we do not have a system in place for online retailers,” said Eric Leas, Ph.D., M.P.H., an assistant professor at the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science. “The results of this study highlight the need for greater oversight and enforcement of online tobacco retailers.”

Key findings include:

• 1% of buyers had their IDs scanned
• 81% of deliveries were made via the USPS
• 9% arrived via couriers with policies restricting shipping tobacco, including: 4.0% via UPS, 3.0% via FedEx 3.0% and 1.8% via DHL
• 78% of buyers reported no interaction with delivery personnel
• 15% of buyers spoke with delivery personnel but did not have their IDs checked
• 6% of buyers had their IDs checked but not scanned

“Online sales of e-cigarettes are the largest and fastest growing sector of the tobacco. We need to evaluate tobacco retail policies and ensure they cover e-commerce and monitor the market to improve implementation,” said Leas, who is also director of the Tobacco E-commerce Lab.

In a 2023 study published in Tobacco Control, Leas reported that following the implementation of SB-793, online shopping queries were 194% higher than expected for cigarettes and 162% higher than expected for vape products.

As a result, to strengthen state tobacco oversight programs, including online sales of flavored tobacco products, California lawmakers recently approved SB-1230, citing Leas’ Tobacco Control study. The law will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2025.

“This research is piloting a system for monitoring online compliance that local health departments could mimic as a routine surveillance system to strengthen the implementation of public health laws designed to reduce the sale of tobacco products to minors,” said Leas.

Co-authors include: Raquel M. Harati, Shannon E. Ellis, Nora Satybaldiyeva, and Tomas Mejorado, all of UC San Diego; Gustavo Benitez, California State University San Marcos; and Lisa Henriksen, Stanford University.

This research was funded, in part, by the California Tobacco Related Disease Research Program (T32IP4684).

Disclosures: The authors do not have any conflicts of interest to report.

DOI: 10.1001/jama.2024.21597

Contact:
Stacy A. Anderson                    
Mount Sinai Press Office                    
347-346-3390                    
[email protected]                          

                                 

Mount Sinai Awarded Nearly $7 Million From National Institutes of Health to Create New York Coalition to Recruit for Highly Diverse Health Database 
Health System to serve as a lead site for the All of Us research program

(New York, NY – November 11, 2024) – The Mount Sinai Health System has been awarded nearly $7 million from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to create and lead a New York coalition to contribute to one of the most diverse health databases in history, ultimately informing and guiding individualized treatment and care for a variety of diseases and health conditions. Mount Sinai will also work to increase the number of participants from various demographics, regions, and stages of opioid use disorder to address the public health crisis of rising overdose deaths.

The New York coalition will include academic medical centers and community partners with expertise in engaging, recruiting, and retaining participants often underrepresented in biomedical research in New York City—one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse enclaves in the world. Along with Mount Sinai, the group of collaborators includes Weill Cornell Medicine, New York City Health + Hospitals, the Institute for Family Health, and NYU Langone. The New York coalition will try to recruit more than 7,000 new participants across the tri-state area to join the NIH’s All of Us Research Program in the first year.

“This multi-institutional effort will fill a gap to significantly increase recruitment of participants in an area of the country with rich diversity,” said Principal Investigator Monica Kraft, MD, the Murray M. Rosenberg Professor of Medicine and Chair of the Department of Medicine at Mount Sinai Health System and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. “Our partnership encompasses dozens of hospitals and medical practices, longstanding collaborations, senior research investigators, and seasoned staff with experience in recruiting diverse populations. We will work closely with the All of Us consortium and key stakeholders, assess the impact of our activities, identify best practices, and share both our expertise and discoveries along the way. We look forward to continuing to build on our strong and robust IT, data science, clinical, data collection, and electronic health record infrastructures.”

The coalition will join the other All of Us regional hubs to also enroll 3,300 new participants with opioid use disorder, an epidemic that has affected thousands across the United States through increasing opioid use, addiction, and overdose deaths. The crisis has most recently involved a rise of synthetic opioids like fentanyl, which are significantly more potent and deadly than heroin and prescription opioids. There are distinct racial disparities among those with opioid use disorder, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: although opioid use is more common among white Americans, Black adults and teens experienced a steeper increase in the rate of fatal opioid overdoses than whites during the last decade.

Three Icahn Mount Sinai leaders join Dr. Kraft as Principal Investigators for the New York coalition: Bruce D. Gelb, MD, Dean for Child Health Research, the Gogel Family Professor and Director of The Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, and Director of the Center for Molecular Cardiology; Carol R. Horowitz, MD, MPH, Dean for Gender Equity in Science and Medicine, Director of the Institute for Health Equity Research, and Professor of Medicine, and Population Health Science and Policy; and Girish N. Nadkarni, MD, MPH, Irene and Dr. Arthur M. Fishberg Professor of Medicine, Director of The Charles Bronfman Institute of Personalized Medicine, and System Chief of the Division of Data-Driven and Digital Medicine.

“Our participation in the All of Us Research Program is a significant step towards revolutionizing health care through the power of multimodal data,” said Dr. Nadkarni. “This grant will enable us to harness cutting-edge technologies and integrate vast amounts of health information to uncover new insights and accelerate the development of personalized treatments. The world can leverage this comprehensive dataset to identify novel biomarkers, predict disease progression, and ultimately enhance clinical outcomes.”

Dr. Horowitz added: “Mount Sinai has a longstanding and deep commitment to health equity. Working in close partnership with expert clinicians, patients, and community advocates, we will ensure that our New York neighbors from more disadvantaged backgrounds and who have experienced health disparities are among the first to benefit from the advances in science and medicine that stem from All of Us.”

The investigators will harness insights from trusted networks and communities of ongoing research they currently lead, including The Charles Bronfman Institute for Personalized Medicine’s BioMe BioBank program, which supports rapid analysis from electronic medical information; the Mount Sinai Million Health Discoveries Program, which aims to carry out genetic sequencing of 1 million Mount Sinai patients within the next five years; and the NIH Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery (RECOVER) Initiative, which is examining the long-term effects of COVID-19.

The All of Us Research Program was created in 2015 to reflect the diversity of the United States and its territories, with a focus on precision medicine, or development of individualized plans for disease prevention and treatment. The national effort includes gathering data from 1 million or more diverse people, including those who are LGBTQ+ or Indigenous, with the goal of accelerating medical research and health breakthroughs. The comprehensive dataset is housed on a secure cloud-based platform and participating researchers can access information from surveys, genomic analyses, electronic health records, physical measurements, and wearables to study a range of factors that influence health and disease, including the environment, lifestyle, and genes. To date, more than 800,000 people have enrolled in the program.

About the Mount Sinai Health System

Mount Sinai Health System is one of the largest academic medical systems in the New York metro area, with 48,000 employees working across eight hospitals, more than 400 outpatient practices, more than 600 research and clinical labs, a school of nursing, and a leading school of medicine and graduate education. Mount Sinai advances health for all people, everywhere, by taking on the most complex health care challenges of our time—discovering and applying new scientific learning and knowledge; developing safer, more effective treatments; educating the next generation of medical leaders and innovators; and supporting local communities by delivering high-quality care to all who need it.

Through the integration of its hospitals, labs, and schools, Mount Sinai offers comprehensive health care solutions from birth through geriatrics, leveraging innovative approaches such as artificial intelligence and informatics while keeping patients’ medical and emotional needs at the center of all treatment. The Health System includes approximately 9,000 primary and specialty care physicians and 11 free-standing joint-venture centers throughout the five boroughs of New York City, Westchester, Long Island, and Florida. Hospitals within the System are consistently ranked by Newsweek’s® “The World’s Best Smart Hospitals, Best in State Hospitals, World Best Hospitals and Best Specialty Hospitals” and by U.S. News & World Report’s® “Best Hospitals” and “Best Children’s Hospitals.” The Mount Sinai Hospital is on the U.S. News & World Report® “Best Hospitals” Honor Roll for 2024-2025.

For more information, visit https://www.mountsinai.org or find Mount Sinai on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

San Diego, CA – Hackensack Meridian JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute, a nationally recognized leader in physical medicine and rehabilitation, is proud to announce its participation in the upcoming American Academy of Physical Medicine And Rehabilitation Annual Assembly (AAPMR) 2024 Annual Assembly, taking place November 6-10 in San Diego, CA.

Hackensack Meridian JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute physicians and researchers are available for interviews. They will be presenting  numerous research and poster presentations, including:

Transforming Stroke Care with Cardiac Rehab

Dr. Sara Cuccurullo and Dr. Talya Fleming, renowned  experts from JFK Johnson, will present “Transforming  Stroke Care with Cardiac Rehab: Saving Lives, Optimizing Recovery, and Driving Change in Policy” on Thursday, November 7th. Their Stroke-HEART (TM) Trials have found that survivors of stroke could reduce mortality risk by 76 percent if they completed a modified cardiac rehabilitation program.

Engaging PM&R Trainees in Research

Dr. Kristen Harris, a dedicated  educator and researcher at JFK Johnson, will deliver an oral presentation titled “How to Get Involved in Research: A Systemic Guide for the PM&R Trainee” on Friday, November 8th. This session provides a roadmap for trainees interested  in research, outlining  practical steps and resources available at JFK Johnson and beyond.

Exploring the Biphasic Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids

Dr. Alexander Shustorovich, a leading researcher at JFK Johnson, will present a poster titled “Biphasic effects of cannabis and cannabinoid  therapy on pain severity, anxiety and sleep disturbance: A scoping review” on Saturday, November 9th. This research delves into the complex relationship  between  cannabis and cannabinoids  and their impact on pain, anxiety, and sleep, offering valuable insights for patient  care.

Investigating Subarachnoid Hemorrhage and its Impact

A team led by Dr. Ally Ferber, a renowned  neurorehabilitation  specialist at JFK Johnson, will present two posters on Friday, November 8th: “A Brain Bleed That Breaks the Heart: Subarachnoid  Hemorrhage Induced Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy” and “No Gains No Pains: Weightlifting-Induced  Subarachnoid  Hemorrhage due to Venous Perimesencephalic  Bleed.” These presentations  explore the diverse and often unexpected consequences of subarachnoid hemorrhage, highlighting the institute’s expertise in managing complex neurological conditions.

Unveiling Statin-Induced Autoimmune Myopathy

Dr. Esha Patel and colleagues, experts in neuromuscular disorders at JFK Johnson, will present a poster titled “Statin’ the Obvious: Statin Necrotizing Autoimmune Myopathy” on Friday, November 8th. This research sheds light on a rare but serious side effect of statin medications, providing valuable insights for clinicians and patients alike.

A Rare Case of Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy after Brain Trauma

Dr. Aimee Abbott-Korumi and a team of researchers from JFK Johnson will present a poster titled “A Rare Case of Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy after Brain Trauma” on Saturday, November 9th. This case study explores the complex interplay between  brain trauma and heart health, showcasing the institute’s commitment to advancing understanding and treatment of these conditions.

Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block for Central Pain

Dr. Abbott-Korumi will also present a poster titled “Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block for Central Pain after Thalmic Ischemic Stroke” online from November 6th to 10th. This research investigates a novel treatment approach for chronic pain following stroke, demonstrating JFK Johnson’s dedication to exploring innovative pain management strategies.

Dr. Cuccurullo serves as Co-Director of the Chair Program Summit and will participate in the AAPM&R Graduate Medical Education Academic Leaders Lunch. Dr. Fleming is a member of the Exercise As a Medicine Member Community Meeting and the Board of Governors Closing Meeting. Additionally, she co-chairs the Academy’s PM&R BOLD Steering Committee and the Rehabilitation Care Continuum (RCC) practice area. Dr. Bagay serves as Community Session Director for both the Cancer Rehabilitation  Medicine Business Meeting and the Cancer Rehabilitation  Medicine Meet-up, and will also participate in the AAPM&R GME Academic Leaders Lunch.

Newswise — In a new study evaluating meditation for chronic lower back pain, researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine have discovered that men and women utilize different biological systems to relieve pain. While men relieve pain by releasing endogenous opioids, the body’s natural painkillers, women rely instead on other, non-opioid based pathways.

Synthetic opioid drugs, such as morphine and fentanyl, are the most powerful class of painkilling drugs available. Women are known to respond poorly to opioid therapies, which use synthetic opioid molecules to bind to the same receptors as naturally-occurring endogenous opioids. This aspect of opioid drugs helps explain why they are so powerful as painkillers, but also why they carry a significant risk of dependence and addiction.

“Dependence develops because people start taking more opioids when their original dosage stops working,” said Fadel Zeidan, Ph.D., professor of anesthesiology and Endowed Professor in Empathy and Compassion Research at UC San Diego Sanford Institute for Empathy and Compassion. “Although speculative, our findings suggest that maybe one reason that females are more likely to become addicted to opioids is that they’re biologically less responsive to them and need to take more to experience any pain relief.”

The study combined data from two clinical trials involving a total of 98 participants, including both healthy individuals and those diagnosed with chronic lower back pain. Participants underwent a meditation training program, then practiced meditation while receiving either placebo or a high-dose of naloxone, a drug that stops both synthetic and endogenous opioids from working. At the same time, they experienced a very painful but harmless heat stimulus to the back of the leg. The researchers measured and compared how much pain relief was experienced from meditation when the opioid system was blocked versus when it was intact.

The study found:

• Blocking the opioid system with naloxone inhibited meditation-based pain relief in men, suggesting that men rely on endogenous opioids to reduce pain.
• Naloxone increased meditation-based pain relief in women, suggesting that women rely on non-opioid mechanisms to reduce pain.
• In both men and women, people with chronic pain experienced more pain relief from meditation than healthy participants.

“These results underscore the need for more sex-specific pain therapies, because many of the treatments we use don’t work nearly as well for women as they do for men,” said Zeidan.

The researchers conclude that by tailoring pain treatment to an individual’s sex, it may be possible to improve patient outcomes and reduce the reliance on and misuse of opioids.

“There are clear disparities in how pain is managed between men and women, but we haven’t seen a clear biological difference in the use of their endogenous systems before now,” said Zeidan. “This study provides the first clear evidence that sex-based differences in pain processing are real and need to be taken more seriously when developing and prescribing treatment for pain.”

Link to study: https://doi.org/10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae453

Co-authors on the study include Jon Dean, Mikaila Reyes, Lora Khatib, Gabriel Riegner, Nailea Gonzalez, Julia Birenbaum and Krishan Chakravarthy at UC San Diego, Valeria Oliva at Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Grace Posey at Tulane University School of Medicine, Jason Collier and Rebecca Wells at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Burel Goodin at Washington University in St Louis and Roger Fillingim at University of Florida.

This study was funded, in part, by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (grants R21-AT010352, R01-AT009693, R01AT011502) and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (UL1TR001442).

# # #

Disclosures: The authors declare no competing interests.

As cannabidiol products — commonly known as CBD — become more readily available, West Virginia University researchers are working to gain a broader understanding of how the substance influences driving performance and whether the effects differ between men and women.

The project, which will include 300 participants, expands on WVU public health investigators’ 2021 pilot trial.

“In that study, we had some preliminary data that there was a little bit of difference in males’ and females’ driving performance after consuming CBD, but we didn’t have a big enough sample size to really look at it closely,” said Toni Rudisill, assistant professor in the WVU School of Public Health Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics.

“We want to dive into that more to see if that relationship truly exists. This is going to be one of the largest CBD studies in terms of the number of people.”

The five-year study is supported by a $2.2 million grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

CBD is a compound of the hemp plant, which was removed from the list of federally controlled substances as part of the 2018 Agriculture Improvement Act. Products are sold over the counter in a variety of forms including gummies, beverages and oils. Although legal in most states, none are regulated by the FDA. Consumers reportedly use them to relax or to reduce pain and anxiety.

“You can buy CBD pretty much anywhere and we don’t know a lot about it and how it impacts individuals,” said Rudisill, who is also a West Virginia Clinical and Translational Science Institute scholar. “It has purported side effects of causing sedation and drowsiness, so that’s why we’re interested in looking at how it impacts driving performance.”

For the study, researchers will examine cognitive and psychomotor functions, like reaction times and stimuli lapses, to compare the results between participants consuming CBD to those given a placebo.

In a lab setting, participants will complete baseline assessments including cognitive and psychomotor tests. Participants will then take practice runs with a driving simulator Rudisill describes as “a very fancy video game.” They will then be given either a 300 milligram or 150 milligram dosage of CBD, or a placebo.

“Then they will hang out with us for two hours, eat breakfast and go for a longer drive on the simulator,” Rudisill said. “After that, they will retake all the cognitive and psychomotor tests and finish an end-of-study questionnaire.”

For the multidisciplinary project, Rudisill will collaborate with Dr. Gordon Smith, Stuart M. and Joyce N. Robbins Distinguished Professor in the School of Public Health Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics; Sijin Wen, professor in the School of Public Health Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics; James Mahoney, associate professor in the WVU School of Medicine departments of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry, Neuroscience and Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, and Dr. Treah Haggerty, associate professor in the School of Medicine Department of Family Medicine. 

Rudisill said she hopes the study will benefit both researchers and consumers.

“I think it’ll definitely add to the scientific literature and also help people make a more informed decision if it’s safe to drive when consuming these products.”

In response to President Biden’s call to reclassify marijuana, the DEA began the process of rescheduling marijuana from a Schedule I to Schedule III drug. This move could legitimize marijuana’s medical use, allowing broader research, but critics argue it overlooks potential health risks.

Proponents highlight benefits like chronic pain relief and opioid reduction, while opponents express concerns about addiction and mental health risks. The change, still under review, is set to impact both state laws and medical marijuana access.

If you’re interested in connecting further on this topic, please consider Chris Meyers. Meyers is a professional philosopher currently affiliated with the George Washington University, where he teaches Philosophy of Law and Public Policy. Meyers’ primary areas of research are moral theory, political theory, moral psychology, and public policy. His most recent book entitled Drug Legalization–A Philosophical Analysis, looks into various arguments for and against the prohibition of recreational drugs.

If you would like to schedule time to connect with Professor Meyers, please contact GW Media Relations Specialist Tayah Frye at [email protected].

-GW-

BYLINE: Angelita Faller

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has received $5 million in federal funding to address the growing drug and opioid crisis among youth in Arkansas.

The award comes from appropriations language authored by U.S. Sen. John Boozman passed into law in 2024. The funding is administered by the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

“I was proud to secure critical funding for the Opioid Prevention Project because we all agree it can make a tremendous difference in this fight,” Boozman said. “UA Little Rock MidSOUTH is ideally positioned to leverage this investment. With its expansive network and partnerships, it will enhance abuse and prevention education efforts and target a population at risk of falling victim to opioid abuse and its devastating consequences, which will benefit the entire state.”

The Arkansas Youth Drug-Use Reduction Program will be led by MidSOUTH, a training and education community service unit of the College of Business, Health, and Human Services at UA Little Rock, in partnership with national experts, state and local agencies, and community stakeholders.

The initiative aims to conduct a statewide assessment and develop an evidence-based, Arkansas-specific curriculum designed to educate young people about the dangers of drug use. MidSOUTH was awarded this significant funding due to its proven leadership in drug abuse prevention and training across Arkansas, making it a trusted partner in statewide efforts to combat substance abuse.

“As we face the challenges of opioid misuse, it’s vital to engage our youth in meaningful conversations about prevention and awareness,” said Greg Smith, co-director of MidSOUTH. “The funding will help educate youth about what opioids are and the risks associated with their use. Knowledge is our first line of defense. Our goal is to work together with law enforcement, educators, community prevention agencies, and other stakeholders to foster a safe environment where our youth can thrive and make choices that promote their well-being.”

The program aims to reach 100,000 youth within its first year, with plans to expand as the curriculum is implemented. MidSOUTH’s collaboration with experts and state agencies will ensure that the campaign effectively addresses the unique needs of Arkansas communities and fosters long-term prevention efforts.

“UA Little Rock is honored to participate in the fight against the opioid crisis and to support the health and well-being of Arkansas’s youth,” UA Little Rock Chancellor Christina S. Drale said. “This investment will enable us to work alongside national experts and state leaders to implement a comprehensive prevention program that will provide young people with the knowledge and resources to make positive choices, strengthening the future of our communities. We are grateful to Sen. Boozman for his continued support, and to the dedicated MidSOUTH staff for their leadership in this critical initiative.”

This funding will also provide drug neutralizing agents to citizens to assist in the safe disposal of household medications to keep them out of the hands of youth. An educational campaign will complement the curriculum, broadening its reach to communities across Arkansas. Television and social media advertisements will raise awareness among young people about the dangers of drug use, while also providing parents with guidance on how to discuss drug prevention with their children.

“An important part to drug abuse prevention is peer prevention,” Smith said. “Youth need to be able to recognize peer pressure and feel confident saying no to drug use and surround themselves with friends who respect their choices and values. We are working to build evidence-informed curriculums for youth to share what they learn with their peers. By speaking out, they can help create a culture of awareness and support in their schools. Together, we can empower them with knowledge and tools to make informed choices.”

Effective drug prevention and education programs can help save lives by delaying the onset of drug and opioid use and reducing overdose deaths. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is now the No. 1 cause of overdose deaths in Arkansas. Of the 47,695 Arkansas students in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12 who participated in the 2023 Arkansas Prevention Needs Assessment, 21.2% have used alcohol, 16.5% have tried drugs, 15.3% have vaped, 9.2% have used marijuana, and 4.2% have used prescription drugs.

“Programs like this are critical for reaching our young people at a time when the opioid crisis continues to devastate families and communities,” Smith said. “This partnership will give Arkansas youth the tools and knowledge they need to make healthy decisions and stay on the right path.”

The curriculum and training materials created from this funding will be provided at no cost to school districts, law enforcement agencies, nonprofits, and other stakeholders. If you are interested in the curriculum, please contact April Null, Arkansas Youth Drug-Use Reduction Program coordinator, at [email protected] or 501-891-2964.

Funding for this initiative was made possible by Congressionally Directed Spending appropriated to the Office of National Drug Control Policy (Grant No. CDS9924G0018-00). The views expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect the views of the United States Congress or the Office of National Drug Control Policy.