Opiates Reduce the Brain’s Ability to Form and Maintain Synapses

Research on molecular mechanisms behind heroin addiction relapse is led by David Dietz, PhD, associate professor and chair of pharmacology and toxicology, who said this study is one of few that examine the changes in the brain that cause people to relapse. “In the not too distant future, with all the findings, we can hopefully start to find real treatment to relieve the horrific conditions that people suffer from addiction with and break the cycle of drug-taking, relapse, drug-taking, relapse,” he said.