Twenty-two states now prohibit prior authorization for opioid use disorder medications such as methadone, buprenorphine and naltrexone, up from two states in 2015. The upward trend signals a willingness by many state legislatures to address the opioid crisis. 

New research led by the University of Minnesota Medical School demonstrates that molecules acting as “molecular bumpers” and “molecular glues” can rewire G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling, turning the cell’s busiest receptors into precision tools — opening the door to a new generation of safer, smarter medicines. The findings were published today in Nature.

States that explicitly criminalize prenatal drug use may unintentionally discourage pregnant people from seeking essential medical care, according to new research from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. The study is the first to empirically test whether fear of legal repercussions leads some people with drug use disorders to give birth outside healthcare settings to avoid hospital drug testing.

Researchers identified a pathway in the male rat brain that psychedelics target. This pathway may explain how these drugs strengthen memories and alleviate psychiatric disease symptoms.

Vanderbilt’s Dr. Benjamin P. Brown is improving the way the field of drug discovery creates machine learning algorithms to predict a protein’s interactions with a small molecule. These improvements bring ML closer to fulfilling its potential in the field—something that has not been realized after more than a decade of work.

A new study published in the journal Nicotine & Tobacco Research reveals new patterns of tobacco use among Veterans compared to civilians: Veterans are more likely to use all commercial tobacco products—including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, e-cigarettes, and smokeless tobacco. Veterans also had a higher risk for former and current tobacco use, as well as any combustible tobacco product use, and multiple product use. Almost 1 in 4 Veterans reported currently using tobacco and 19 percent currently use combustible tobacco products. Veterans are also more likely than civilians to use multiple tobacco products, which increases health risks. The study is the first analysis of tobacco use by Veteran status to consider product type since 2015.

The National Institutes of Health’s National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has awarded $3.7 million to Indiana University researchers to investigate the complex relationship between ADHD medications and serious substance use problems among vulnerable youth and young adults. The study aims to fill critical gaps in understanding how ADHD medications impact the risk of serious substance use problems by analyzing nationwide healthcare data of over 3.3 million young people (ages 9-29) enrolled in Medicaid who received an ADHD diagnosis.