Increased expression of plasma hsa-miR-181a in male patients with heroin addiction use disorder.

Background: Drug addiction is an uncontrolled, chronic, and recurrent encephalopathy that presently lacks specific and characteristic biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment. As regulators of gene expression, microRNAs (miRNAs) are increasingly used for diagnostic and prognostic purposes in various disease states. Previous studies indicated that miRNAs play important roles in the development and progression of drug addictions, including addiction to methamphetamine, cocaine, alcohol, and heroin.

Differences in cigarette smoking behaviors among heroin inhalers versus heroin injectors.

Introduction: The high prevalence of cigarette smoking among heroin users has triggered many studies to explore possible interactions between cigarette smoking and heroin addiction; however, little is known about the relationship between cigarette smoking behaviors and routes of heroin administration. The present study provided the first examination of cigarette smoking status, motivation, and cigarette smoking cue reactivity among injecting or inhaling heroin users.

Methods: Forty-six heroin-dependent patients were recruited in the present study.