Publications by authors named "N Everett"
Medications to treat substance use disorders (SUDs) remain suboptimal or, in the case of stimulants and cannabis, non-existent. Many factors have contributed to this paucity, including the biological complexity of addiction, regulatory challenges, and a historical lack of enthusiasm among pharmaceutical companies to commit resources to this disease space. Despite these headwinds, the recent opioid crisis has highlighted the devastating consequences of SUDs for both individuals and society, stimulating urgent efforts to identify novel treatment approaches.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Social behaviour plays a key role in mental health and wellbeing, and developing greater understanding of mechanisms underlying social interaction-particularly social motivation-holds substantial transdiagnostic impact. Common rodent behavioural assays used to assess social behaviour are limited in their assessment of social motivation, whereas the social operant conditioning model can provide unique and valuable insights into social motivation. Further characterisation of common experimental parameters that may influence social motivation within the social operant model, as well as complementary methodological and analytical approaches, are warranted.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Alcopop beverages, high in sugar and alcohol, are commonly the first drinks for young females and may influence drinking behavior and brain function related to methamphetamine use.
- This study investigated how binge drinking of alcopops affects consumption levels, anxiety behavior, sensitivity to methamphetamine, and astrocyte expression in certain brain regions in adolescent female rats.
- Results showed that rats consuming alcopops drank more than those drinking ethanol alone, but drinking habits and brain changes did not significantly affect anxiety or astrocyte levels after withdrawal.
Rationale/objectives: Targeting cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1R) has shown promise for treating opioid withdrawal symptoms. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of a specific CB1R negative allosteric modulator (NAM), Org27569, in reducing both naloxone-precipitated and protracted withdrawal symptoms in oxycodone-dependent mice.
Methods: Mice received escalating doses of oxycodone (9-33 mg/kg IP) or saline twice daily for 9 days, followed by a final dose of oxycodone (33 mg/kg) or saline in the morning of day 9.