Navigation Links
Risk takers, drug abusers driven by decreased ability to process dopamine
Date:12/29/2008

NASHVILLE, Tenn.--For risk-takers and impulsive people, New Year's resolutions often include being more careful, spending more frugally and cutting back on dangerous behavior, such as drug use. But new research from Vanderbilt finds that these individuals--labeled as novelty seekers by psychologists--face an uphill battle in keeping their New Year's resolutions due to the way their brains process dopamine. The research reveals that novelty seekers have less of a particular type of dopamine receptor, which may lead them to seek out novel and exciting experiences--such as spending lavishly, taking risks and partying like there's no tomorrow.

The research was published Dec. 31, 2008, in the Journal of Neuroscience.

The neurotransmitter dopamine is produced by a select group of cells in the brain. These dopamine-producing cells have receptors called autoreceptors that help limit dopamine release when these cells are stimulated.

"We've found that the density of these dopamine autoreceptors is inversely related to an individual's interest in and desire for novel experiences," David Zald, associate professor of psychology and lead author of the study, said. "The fewer available dopamine autoreceptors an individual has, the less they are able to regulate how much dopamine is released when these cells are engaged. Because of this, novelty and other potentially rewarding experiences that normally induce dopamine release will produce greater dopamine release in these individuals."

Dopamine has long been known to play an important role in how we experience rewards from a variety of natural sources, including food and sex, as well as from drugs such as cocaine and amphetamine. Previous research has shown that individuals differ in both their number of dopamine receptors and the amount of dopamine they produce, and that these differences may play a critical role in addiction. Zald and his colleagues set out to explore the connect
'/>"/>

Contact: Melanie Moran
melanie.moran@vanderbilt.edu
615-322-2706
Vanderbilt University
Source:Eurekalert

0

GOOD

Page: 1 2

Related medicine news :

1. National Network to End Domestic Violence Fund Introduces New Tool to Outsmart Abusers and Stalkers in Todays High-Tech World
2. Former substance abusers rarely relapse after organ transplantation
3. Computer Program Helps Drug Abusers Stay Clean
4. National Survey Shows Employee Fears About Consumer-Driven Health Plans on Decline
5. Disabilities Rising Among Workers; Need for Employer-Driven Disability Awareness, Support Efforts Also Increases
6. Blue Cross And Blue Shield Association Survey Shows Consumer Driven Health Plan Enrollees Are Taking More Control of Their Healthcare
7. UniCare Introduces Consumer-Driven Health Products to Give Consumers a Bigger Role in Health Care Decisions
8. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Virginia Introduces New Generation of Consumer Driven Health Products
9. Consumer Driven Healthcare Continues To Make Its Mark on Indianapolis Market
10. World Health Report Rankings Driven by Ideology, Skewed Data
11. New EBRI/Commonwealth Fund Research: Enrollment in Consumer-Driven Plans Remains Low, Survey Shows

Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
(Date:11/26/2009)... Dr. David Kim of the Live Life Again Center...as , is one of a growing number of physicians who ... sites to connect with individuals who are interes...bid obesity. Dr. Kim is utilizing Facebook to shar...s practice with the community. , ...
(Date:11/26/2009)... Ennis & Ennis, P.A. is offering free na...az and Yasmin birth control pills who have suffere..., Stroke, Heart Attack or other related cardiac is...all toll free at 1-800-856-6405 or go to the firm&...ill out an online case evaluation form. , ...
(Date:11/25/2009)...Calif.,Nov.25/PRNewswire-FirstCall/-- OnyxPharmac...ompanywillhosttwoinvestoreventsinDecember: ,, ...0:00a.m.ET ,, Principalinvestigatorswilldiscu...dand/orrefractorymultiplemyeloma,asfeaturedatthe51...ExpositioninNewOrleans,LA.Theteleconferencewillbeg...
(Date:11/25/2009)...alif.,Nov.25/PRNewswire/--Thanksgivingmealswillbed...reaterLongBeachareathankstoFaithInAction/Volunteer...e(IAH),adivisionofSCANHealthPlan.Formorethan17year...stodeliverwarmThanksgivingmealstoseniorsinneedinLo...esandsurroundingcities. ,, "Ourwarmholidaymeals...
(Date:11/25/2009)...O,Nov.25/PRNewswire/--TheBayAreaAirQualityManageme...e the Air Alert forThursday,November26,...othersolidfuel,bothindoorsandoutdoors. ,, "Cold...morrow,"saidJackBroadbent,executiveofficeroftheAir...ealthoftheirneighborsandfellowcommunitymembersthis...
Breaking Medicine News(10 mins):Health News:Dallas Texas Weight Loss Surgeon Using Social Media To Reach Out to Patients 2Health News:Dallas Texas Weight Loss Surgeon Using Social Media To Reach Out to Patients 3Health News:Ennis & Ennis, P.A. Announces Nationwide Free, Confidential, Consultations For Users Of Yaz And Yasmin Birth Control Pills 2Health News:Ennis & Ennis, P.A. Announces Nationwide Free, Confidential, Consultations For Users Of Yaz And Yasmin Birth Control Pills 3Health News:Onyx Pharmaceuticals Announces December 2009 Investor Events 2Health News:SCAN Employees and Community Volunteers to Help Deliver One Thousand Thanksgiving Meals to Homebound Seniors 2Health News:Winter Spare the Air Alert in Effect for Thursday, November 26, 2009 2
... New research shows that a form of vitamin A used ...ges in an unusual class of small molecules called ... The study also shows that three of these miRNAs i...cid (ATRA) and it is considered the gold standard ...
... The U.S. Army has carried out a promising early t...rm of the liver-attacking disease that sickens man...tern visitors to the region. The vaccine, ma...se wasn't widespread even in a group without the v...
... Legislation giving the University of Minnesota pe...em cell research was revised to explicitly bar hum...he House Higher Education and Work Force Developme... as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and diabetes. The iss...
... China has become an overseas market for Japanese ... Although Japanese make up less than five percent...ople, frustrated with years of waiting and agony a...hi Hokamura, 63, of the southern Japanese province...
... New Delhi: Lt Gen Saibal Mukherjee has taken over...s here Thursday.// An alumnus of Government...the Army Medical Corps in May 1970. After obtainin...and received MD from Bombay University. A p...
... Bird flu has reappeared in domestic ducks in sout...as declared under control, an official said Friday...nh Long province, 140 km south of Ho Chi Minh City...ests results this week showed they were positive f...
Other Medicine News:Health News:Leukemia Drug Turns Mini-Molecules Up, Cancer Genes Down 2Health News:Bird Flu Reappears in Vietnam 2
(Date:11/24/2009).../--ChindexInternational,Inc.,("Chindex")(Nasdaq: C...,healthcareproductsandservicesinthePeople,sRepubli...e21stAnnualPiperJaffray,"Unplugged"HealthCareConfe...Hotel. , Managementiscurrentlyscheduledtopres...-on-onemeetingsthroughouttheday.Awebcast,ofthepres...
(Date:11/24/2009)...stCall/--Endologix,Inc.(Nasdaq: ELGX ),developerof...uncedtodaythatithasfiledamotiontostay,ordiscontinu...ghtagainstitinOctober2009byCook,Inc.Themotionwasfi...diana. ,, Endologixhasrequestedthatthestayremai...ice(USPTO)conductsproceedingstore-examinethetwopat...
(Date:11/24/2009)...rstCall/--Vermillion,Inc.(VRML)(PinkSheets:VRMLQ)a...isclosureStatementtoday,November24,2009,withtheUni...hearingtoconsiderapprovaloftheDisclosureStatementi...gontheconfirmationofthePlanscheduledforJanuary7,20...nfull.ThePlanisexpected,ifapproved,toallowholderso...
Breaking Medicine Technology:Chindex International to Present at Piper Jaffray Health Care Conference 2Endologix Files Motion to Discontinue Court Proceedings Related to Alleged Patent Infringement 2Vermillion Files Plan of Reorganization 2Vermillion Files Plan of Reorganization 3Indiana Drug Card to Provide Free Drug Cards to Residents 53014 1Indiana Drug Card to Provide Free Drug Cards to Residents 53014 2New BioTrends Report Explores Anticipated Treatment Pattern Shifts Expected with the Proposed Bundled Payment Structure Planned for 2011 53012 1New BioTrends Report Explores Anticipated Treatment Pattern Shifts Expected with the Proposed Bundled Payment Structure Planned for 2011 53012 2Urine Test for Chlamydia Shown Effective in Men 53011 1
...aunch Progress and Adlea R...all Today at 11:30 am ET, SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Ca...nced today that the company will restructure,opera...t development to,accelerate its transition to a sp...e company also provided updates on Zingo launch pr...
...d That Multaq(R) (Dronedarone) Decreased the Risk,...ion or Atrial Flutter,Already Adequately Treated b...oc analysis of the data from the ATHENA study,were...ion of the European,Society of Cardiology congress...he landmark ATHENA study have shown that the inves...
Other Medicine Technology:Anesiva Accelerates Its Transition to Specialty Pharma Pain Management Company 2Anesiva Accelerates Its Transition to Specialty Pharma Pain Management Company 3Anesiva Accelerates Its Transition to Specialty Pharma Pain Management Company 4Anesiva Accelerates Its Transition to Specialty Pharma Pain Management Company 5Further Analysis From ATHENA Study Showed That Multaq(R)(Dronedarone) Reduced the Risk of Stroke in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation 2Further Analysis From ATHENA Study Showed That Multaq(R)(Dronedarone) Reduced the Risk of Stroke in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation 3Further Analysis From ATHENA Study Showed That Multaq(R)(Dronedarone) Reduced the Risk of Stroke in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation 4Further Analysis From ATHENA Study Showed That Multaq(R)(Dronedarone) Reduced the Risk of Stroke in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation 5
DIX Foreign Body Spud
...age lens is made from MMA/VP material and has a hi...th the base curve and total diameter as specified ...ower range of -30.00DS to +30.00DS,Simplon Ba...d therapeutic applications including the controlle...
Ellis Needles
Bandage
Medicine Products: