Brain Region Tied to Negative Emotions Found Key in Cocaine Addiction

Researchers at the Scripps Research Institute have found that the central amygdala – the region of the brain associated with emotions of malaise and unhappiness – is a key factor in continued cocaine addiction. The rat model study suggests that changes influenced by cocaine use led to anxious feelings and other drug withdrawl symptoms that incited continued drug use.  Signs of the rats’ addiction dwindled when scientists blocked kappa opioid receptors in the brain, and researchers believe that the receptors are a good target for therapy. For more information, click here to read the full article.