Search results for " Addiction"

Role of serotonin in central dopamine dysfunction

2010

The interaction between serotonin (5-HT) and dopamine (DA)-containing neurons in the brain is a research topic that has raised the interest of many scientists working in the field of neuroscience since the first demonstration of the presence of monoamine-containing neurons in the mid 1960. The bulk of neuroanatomical data available clearly indicate that DA-containing neurons in the brain receive a prominent innervation from serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) originating in the raphe nuclei of the brainstem. Compelling electrophysiological and neurochemical data show that 5-HT can exert complex effects on the activity of midbrain DA neurons mediated by its various receptor subtypes. The m…

The moderating role of personality in the relationship between temporal perspectives and facebook addiction

2020

In the present paper, we tested the hypothesis that neuroticism moderates the relationship between past-negative or present-fatalistic temporal perspectives and Facebook addiction. A sample of 233 Facebook users (Female: 66%, mean age: 21.4 years) filled self-reports measures of temporal perspective, personality traits, and Facebook Addiction. Results at two moderation models showed that only past-negative significantly predicts Facebook addiction through neuroticism's moderation effect. Individuals with a negative temporal orientation to the past, who are also characterized by a high neuroticism level, were more addicted to Facebook. Peculiar associations between past-negative temporal per…

Gambling: spreading among students in Palermo

2018

Adolescents represent a particularly high-risk group and they are also vulnerable to the development of gambling related problems. Thanks to technological advances in gaming industry (slot machines, video lottery terminals, casino-types games) new form of gambling are continuously appearing. With the purpose of having an idea about the spreading of gambling among the students of Palermo, a survey has been conducted through administration of questionnaires during the period from January to May 2017: this study involved 1622 students (686 boys and 936 girls) between the age of 14 and 19. In this survey it has been demonstrated that only 15% of students have never played; 36% declare they have…

Nitric Oxide Modulation of the Dopaminergic Nigrostriatal System: Focus on Nicotine Action

2009

Nitric oxide (NO) signalling plays an important role in the integration of information processed by the basal ganglia nuclei. Accordingly, considerable evidence has emerged indicating a role for NO in pathophysiological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease (PD), schizophrenia and drug addiction. To further investigate the NO modulation of dopaminergic function in the basal ganglia circuitry, in this study we used in vivo electrophysiology and microdialysis in freely-moving rats. Pharmacological manipulation of the NO system did not cause any significant changes either in the basal firing rate and bursting activity of the dopamine (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) or…

Nuove dipendenze ed intervento di comunità. Numero monografico della rivista Psicologia di comunità

2014

Oncogene Addiction in Solid Tumors

2015

The term “oncogenic addiction” refers to the phenomenon by which tumor cells become completely dependent on a single pathway, derived from the activation of a specific oncogene, for their survival and proliferation. The clinical relevance of oncogene addiction paradigm is highlighted by a growing number of examples that demonstrate the efficacy of several therapeutic agents that target specific oncogenes in various cancer types. This chapter aims to summarize the recent evidences concerning the concept of oncogene addiction and describes molecular mechanisms that could explain this phenomenon.

Are erlotinib and gefitinib interchangeable, opposite or complementary for non-small cell lung cancer treatment? Biological, pharmacological and clin…

2014

Abstract: Gefitinib and erlotinib are the two anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) approved for treatment of advanced NSCLC patients. These drugs target one of the most important pathways in lung carcinogenesis and are able to exploit the phenomenon of 'oncogene addiction', with different efficacy according to EGFR gene mutational status in tumor samples. Gefitinib has been approved only for EGFR mutation bearing patients regardless the line of treatment, while erlotinib is also indicated in patients without EGFR mutation who undergo second- or third-line treatment. Some studies evaluated the main differences between these drugs both for direct comp…

Psychological assessment in pathological gamblers treated with escitalopram

2013

Pathological Gambling (PG) is classified as a "Disorder of Impulse Control", but due to similarities with drug addiction is frequently described as a drug-free addiction (Potenza et al., 2012). PG is conceptualized as a behavioural addiction because of its neurobiologic, neurophysiologic and psychological features. Current therapeutical approaches seem unsatisfactory as they do not achieve definitive positive outcomes. Considering the well known psycopathological comorbidities, PG represents both a social (impact on relatives money/life) and a sanitary cost, in terms of pharmacological and psychological support. The compulsive behaviour detectable in PG, is a disease with neurophysiopatholo…

Statistical analysis about diffusion of exercise addiction in Sicily

2020

Exercise Addiction (EA) is a behavioural dysfunction marked by uncontrolled compulsion towards all kinds of physical activity. With the purpose of understanding the epidemiology of this steadily increasing phenomenon, we have done a statistical analysis about some data obtained through the administration of an onlinequestionnaire (Google forms): the same one was also converted into paper-questionnaire and then it has been administered in many gyms in Palermo and Trapani (Sicily-Italy). The sample examined consists of 976 people aged between 14 and 65 (47.3% of them are women and 52.7% are men). For 53.8% of analysed people, physical activity is one of the most important things of their life…

Decision Making Impairment: A Shared Vulnerability in Obesity, Gambling Disorder and Substance Use Disorders?

2016

Introduction Addictions are associated with decision making impairments. The present study explores decision making in Substance use disorder (SUD), Gambling disorder (GD) and Obesity (OB) when assessed by Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) and compares them with healthy con- trols (HC). Methods For the aims of this study, 591 participants (194 HC, 178 GD, 113 OB, 106 SUD) were assessed according to DSM criteria, completed a sociodemographi c interview and con- ducted the IGT. Results SUD, GD and OB present impaired decision making when compared to the HC in the over- all task and task learning, however no differences are found for the overall performanc e inthe IGT among the clinical groups. Results…