Drug info - Grant will fund study of cocaine addiction

[jholmes800]

Two local researchers have been granted $1.6 million in federal funding to study treatment for cocaine addiction.

Drs. Alexis C. Thompson of the University at Buffalo and Jean DiPirro, an assistant professor in Buffalo State College's department of psychology, are researching ways to reduce cessation anxiety and cravings that result in the short term and reduce dependence on the drug over the long term. The money comes to UB's Research Institute on Addictions through the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
"Cocaine use greatly affects both individuals and the community at large with a wide range of economic, biomedical, psychiatric and social problems," said Thompson, who noted the researchers will key in on "neuropeptide Y," a neurotransmitter in the brain. Both researchers have been investigating how exposure to drugs changes the brain and leads to long-term changes in motivation, underlying drug addiction and other mental health disorders.

http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial...26/3059078.asp