Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor in relation to craving and duration of abstinence in patients with heroin dependence-A case-control study.

Background And Objectives: Addiction is a chronic disorder that comes with emotional and financial burdens. Several neurobiological factors were correlated to opiate-use disorder which is brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). BDNF has been found to be involved in long-term potentiation of synaptic strength, a mechanism that is thought to motivate both natural adaption mechanisms as well as the development of addictive behavior.

An examination of motives for tramadol and heroin use in an Egyptian sample.

Tramadol misuse is a significant problem in Egypt, yet little is known about tramadol users. The aim of this study is to examine the motivations for use of tramadol or heroin among patients in substance use disorder treatment in order to understand their unique treatment profiles. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted with 100 treatment-seeking men who reported either tramadol or heroin as their primary substance.