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October 27, 2000Volume 29, Number 8



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Study equates early life stress, drug addiction

The trauma that a majority of drug addicts suffer in early life has now been shown to increase their vulnerability to drug addiction, Yale researchers report in a new study.

"Using well established animal models, we've found strong evidence that early life stress enhances vulnerability to drug addiction," says Therese A. Kosten, assistant professor of psychiatry at the School of Medicine. "This study demonstrates the need to target drug abuse prevention strategies to children with early life traumas."

Rat pups that were separated from their mothers for one hour per day during the first week of life learned to self-administer cocaine more readily when they were adults compared to rats that had not had this early life stress. This effect was not due to differences in learning or general activity levels.

"Previous studies show that most drug addicts have had early life trauma," says Kosten, principal investigator on the study. "Given that 1.8 million Americans are currently using cocaine, this information will be valuable in directing future research toward potential interventions for children with early stress experiences in order to reduce the risk of developing drug addiction in adults."

Published in a recent issue of the journal Brain Research, Kosten and her team tested 14 adult rats, eight of which had experienced the stress of isolation from their mother, siblings and nest three months earlier. Compared to six rats that had not experienced this stress, isolated rats learned to press a lever to receive a cocaine infusion in two-thirds the number of days, and at half the dose needed for the non-isolated rats.

Kosten says the groups did not differ in the number of days they took to learn to press a lever to receive food pellets, demonstrating that the isolation effect was specific to cocaine.

Kosten's research team included Mindy J.D. Miserendino of Sacred Heart University and Priscilla Kehoe of Trinity College. The National Institute on Drug Abuse funded the study.

-- By Karen Peart


T H I SW E E K ' SS T O R I E S

Yale kicks off 300th birthday

Science Hill was a popular spot during Yale's open house

Museums welcome the public at behind-the-scene tours

The sweet and savory tale of a 300-pound cake

Peabody Museum opening Hall of Native American Cultures

New Republic editor describes his political coming-of-age

The new Gilder Boathouse is dedicated at a ceremony

Comedian Bill Cosby to perform as a benefit for L.E.A.P.

Albee to hold 'conversation' with audience

Study equates early life stress, drug addiction

NIH grant supports study of amphibians' deformities

Cancer center will lead community initiative to bridge 'digital divide'

Teasing about looks may play a role in binge eating, study finds

Symposium will explore the claim that there is an 'intelligent design' to the universe

Lecture celebrates new Robert W. Winner Professorship

Books take look at African American stage performers

Book explores conceptions of harems in art, literature

Works by Kosovo refugee on view at Physicians Building

Symposium will explore 'the portrait in American art'

DMCA presents debuts of 'Convergence' and 'Ankle-Diver'

Yale singers will present excerpts of famous opera scenes over two nights

Music festival sponsoring Carnegie Hall concert

Opening Yale 300: Images from the Celebration

In the News

Yale Scoreboard



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