TITLE

Team advances therapy preventing addiction relapse by erasing drug-associated memories

DESCRIPTION

“Scientists have made a discovery that brings them closer to a new therapy based on selectively erasing dangerous and tenacious drug-associated memories.”  In this exciting research on animal models of addiction, particularly methamphetamine, scientists were able to target and erase the memories associated with the drug usage but leave other memories untouched.  The scientists hope to eventually develop a therapy for human addicts that would prevent relapse.

SOURCE

Science Daily, August 4, 2015

LINK TO RESOURCE

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/08/150804160842.htm

(shortened URL)  http://tinyurl.com/nnqsv77

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

•What is the neuro-psychological basis of addiction?
•What happens to the brain’s neurotransmitters for those with addiction?
•Discuss how memory of events can trigger relapse.  (This is akin to AA advice of avoiding the people, places, and things that trigger drug/alcohol use.)
•How are memories formed in the brain?
•Discuss how “erasing” memories might disrupt the relapse cycle in prevention of further addiction.