Opioid addiction is a severe public health crisis, claiming quite a few lives through overdose. Amongst essentially the most dangerous opioids is fentanyl, an artificial substance that particularly affects young individuals.

A recent study, led by researcher Ami Citri from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, showed the brain’s potential to manage the need to eat fentanyl. The findings of the study were published within the journal Current Biology.

The researchers focused on claustral neurons, a particular form of brain cells, to determine to what extent they trigger addiction. The team observed that these neurons displayed unique patterns of activity when fentanyl was consumed. By manipulating these neurons, they were in a position to control the quantity of fentanyl consumed, suggesting the neurons directly influence opioid intake, in response to News-Medical.net

Researchers recreated a real-life situation of an individual feeling the urge to take opioids, which helped them to research how social interactions impact drug consumption.

The activation of claustrum – a skinny sheet of neurons that’s connected to many cortical regions – effectively reduced drug consumption, whereas its suppression led to an escalation in drug intake. The findings indicate that specializing in claustral neurons may lead to the event of effective strategies for addressing opioid addiction in people. Researchers are conducting further studies to explore this possibility.

“Our findings make clear the intricate relationship between the brain and fentanyl consumption. Understanding the role of claustral neurons in regulating the urge to eat opioids offers a recent avenue for interventions geared toward curbing addiction,” Citri said in a news release.

The findings have significant implications for public health efforts geared toward addressing the opioid crisis. By educating people on the brain’s role in addiction, researchers and healthcare professionals could enhance their ability to develop simpler strategies for stopping and treating opioid addiction.

Published by Medicaldaily.com