Page 21 - Abacoa Community News November '23

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Science On The Cutting Edge

FAU Lands $4.2 Million or animals sleep better during that withdrawal period,
NIH Grant For Air Quality, then when they wake up, perhaps they won’t feel so much
craving and won’t be as likely to relapse.”
Alzheimer’s Study In a previous study, the researchers found that suvorexant
decreased the amount of oxycodone that opioid-dependent
By Gisele Galoustian rats self-administered during binge sessions. In the new
Worldwide, the study, the team focused more on the withdrawal period
practice of preparing from oxycodone. During a 14-day withdrawal period
agricultural fields by from oxycodone, opioid-dependent rats showed expected
burning crop residue withdrawal symptoms, including disturbed circadian rhythms
contributes large like those seen in insomnia – marked by an increase in
quantities of gaseous pollutants and aerosol particles to the activity, eating and drinking during their usual sleeping
atmosphere and is a known cardiorespiratory health hazard. It hours. However, rats given DORA-12 during this withdrawal
has been shown that combustion byproducts in smoke cross the period showed patterns of behavior and physiological
blood-brain barrier causing brain inflammation, and repeated activities more like animals not dependent on opioids. In
inhalation of smoke can contribute to cognitive decline and addition, when once again exposed to cues they had learned
dementia among older adults. Worldwide, the practice of preparing agricultural fields by to associate with oxycodone, the rats treated with DORA-
Federal efforts to monitor air quality have been focused burning crop residue contributes large quantities of gaseous 12 did not show drug-seeking behavior. Signs of opioid
on population-dense urban communities. As such, impacts pollutants and aerosol particles into the atmosphere. addiction in the brain, characterized by the number of certain
of smoke exposure from agricultural fires on the risk of neuron types, were also reversed by DORA-12, and the effect
Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) in rural JuYoung Park, Ph.D., a professor in the Phyllis and Harvey persisted even if DORA-12 had not been given for days.
populations are not well understood. Sandler School of Social Work, within FAU’s College of Interestingly, Martin-Fardon’s group saw slightly
People who live in the rural communities along Lake Social Work and Criminal Justice; Diana Mitsova, Ph.D., chair different results between male and female animals.
Okeechobee are subjected to repeated, intermittent exposures and professor, Department of Urban and Regional Planning Although all rats had less opioid relapse when treated with
to air pollution during agricultural fires. Not only is the risk within FAU’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Science; Lilah DORA-12, the drug was less effective in female animals
of ADRD among aging residents of these communities from M. Besser, Ph.D., research assistant professor, Department of and the changes to neuron numbers seemed to be more
repeated air pollution a concern, but smoke exposure also is Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine; pronounced in males. “I think this is something really
associated with an anxious, irritable and depressed mood, Sheryl Magzamen, Ph.D., associate professor, Department of important to follow up on,” says Martin-Fardon. “It may
which could lead to social isolation and thereby impact Epidemiology, Colorado State University; Jeffrey Pierce, Ph.D., be that women are much more sensitive to the effect of
mental health in general. professor of atmospheric science, Colorado State University; oxycodone and different doses of treatment are required.”
To better understand this issue, researchers from Florida and consultant Diane Cook, Ph.D., Regents professor and a More studies are needed to show the utility of DORA-
Atlantic University (FAU) have received a five-year, $4.2 Huie-Rogers chair professor, School of Electrical Engineering 12 or similar insomnia drugs to treat opioid addiction in
million R01 grant from the National Institute on Aging of and Computer Science, Washington State University. people. Already, clinical researchers at the Pearson Center
the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in collaboration with “This study will provide evidence for the interactions for Alcohol and Addiction Research are studying the use
the University of Miami, Colorado State University and between community and individual factors that heighten of the insomnia drug suvorexant in people with alcohol
Washington State University. dementia risk in rural and diverse communities that face severe, use disorder.
The project, “The Role of Air Quality and Built adverse social determinants of health as well as high rates In addition to Martin-Fardon and Illenberger, authors of
Environment in Social Isolation and Cognitive Function of this disease,” said Safiya George, Ph.D., Holli Rockwell the study, “Daily treatment with the dual orexin receptor
Among Rural, Racially/Ethnically Diverse Residents at Trubinsky eminent dean and professor, FAU Christine E. Lynn antagonist DORA-12 during oxycodone abstinence
Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease,” will involve a total of 1,087 College of Nursing. “Importantly, the findings from this study decreases oxycodone conditioned reinstatement,” include
community-dwelling adults ages 45 and older who have not will inform a mitigation model and public health interventions Francisco Flores-Ramirez, Glenn Pascasio and Alessandra
been previously diagnosed with ADRD from 50 neighborhood, that will diminish the threat of Alzheimer’s disease and related Matzeu of Scripps Research.
block groups within five communities along Lake Okeechobee. dementias in rural settings and ultimately improve quality of This work was supported by funding from the Merck
Lake Okeechobee is the largest freshwater lake in Florida life and reduce health care expenditures.” Investigator Studies Program (MISP59371), NIH/NIAAA
and the second largest in the contiguous United States. (AA026999, AA028549, AA006420, T32 AA0074560)
The southern portion of the lake is rural, multiculturally Insomnia Drug Helps Prevent and NIH/NIDA (DA053443). The DORA-12 was provided
diverse and home to sugarcane farmworkers whose social Oxycodone Relapse, Scripps by Merck Pharmaceuticals.
engagement wanes during agricultural burns. As socially
vulnerable residents, they are at risk for ADRD because they Research Study Shows A Butterfly Effect
lack access to resources available in urban settings.
An interdisciplinary team from nursing, social work, urban New research
and regional planning, and epidemiology will examine the effects finds that Protein
of smoke-related air pollution during agricultural burn and non- Kinase C delta
burn seasons on social isolation, cognitive function and risk of New findings suggest (PKCd) activity
ADRD in rural residents at the southern end of Lake Okeechobee that treating insomnia triggered by the plasticity of just a few synapses regulates
in Palm Beach County. As part of the study, researchers also will can stop opioid-seeking cell-wide changes in gene transcription.
deploy easy-to-install, low-cost air pollution monitors in about behavior, even after When you interact with the world around you, your
60 homes to assess ambient smoke levels. ending treatment. experiences are recorded as changes in the connection strengths
For the study, the research team will gather electronic A good night’s sleep between neurons in your brain. This process, called synaptic
data using smartwatches in a subsample of 120 residents has many proven health benefits, and a new Scripps Research plasticity, alters how information flows through your brain and
representing five Lake Okeechobee communities. The study suggests one more: preventing opioid relapse. is critical for learning, memory, and even injury recovery.
smartwatch subsample will be monitored for physical activity, In the new study, published online in Neuropharmacology New research guided by MPFI Scientific Director Dr.
social activity and cognitive performance. Biomarkers will on Aug. 12, scientists gave an experimental insomnia Ryohei Yasuda and published this week in the Journal of
provide passive continuous sensing of heart rate, respiratory treatment to rats experiencing oxycodone withdrawal. The Neuroscience, has identified a critical role for a signaling
rate, blood pressure, height/weight and calculated BMI. researchers found that the animals were far less likely to enzyme called Protein Kinase C delta in this process. The
“Our research team will use mobile devices and AI to explore seek out drugs again in the future – even after ending the team of scientists developed biosensors to track the activity of
how momentary changes in smoke from agricultural burns could treatment. These findings could eventually lead to therapies PKCd during plasticity, overcoming longstanding challenges
lead to anxiety, depression and irritability, resulting in decreased to help prevent opioid addiction or relapse in humans. “These in studying its function. Through this new approach, they
physical activity, movement and social activity outside the home results are very encouraging,” says Rémi Martin-Fardon, found that PKCd created a “butterfly effect” transmitting local
and in various built and social environments,” said Lisa Kirk Ph.D., associate professor of molecular medicine at Scripps signals from a few of the thousands of synapses in a neuron
Wiese, Ph.D., principal investigator and an associate professor Research and senior author of the study. “We hope in the to regulate cell-wide changes in gene expression.
in FAU’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing. “We will be future this compound may be useful for not only treating Synaptic plasticity consists of hundreds of coordinated
gathering real-time data from our study participants that will sleep disorders, but also drug use disorders.” biochemical reactions that alter the structure and function of
provide detailed insights to immediate changes to behaviors and Opioids including oxycodone are used to treat pain but individual synapses, the tiny compartments where information
mood that occur when they encounter low air quality or distressed carry a risk of misuse and opioid dependence in people who is transferred between neurons. These biochemical reactions
environments and how this translates to cognitive performance.” use them regularly. In 2021, opioid overdoses killed more are the work of enzymes, specialized proteins in your cells that
A key factor in this work has been the continuous than 80,000 people in the United States, according to the function together during plasticity to physically grow or shrink
engagement of rural community residents and organizations U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
in the design, implementation and evaluation of research to Researchers know that during opioid withdrawal – which A Butterfly Effect on page 22
decrease dementia risk. can last for days in people who are dependent on the drug
“Amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tau tangles – a hallmark – people experience a range of symptoms including nausea,
of Alzheimer’s disease – can begin 20 years before any symptoms vomiting, sweating, chills, pain, anxiety and insomnia.
start to appear,” said Christine Williams, DNSc, multi-PI and Martin-Fardon and Jessica Illenberger, Ph.D., a
professor emeritus in FAU’s Christine E. Lynn College of postdoctoral research fellow at Scripps Research and Captain’s was established in 1980 servicing
Nursing. “Most research on Alzheimer’s disease and related first author of the study, wondered whether treating the Palm Beach County and is a privately
dementias targets older adults. Our study will include middle- insomnia associated with opioid withdrawal might help owned and managed company.
aged adults when dementia risks begin to accelerate. As a result, prevent relapse. This is why they turned to an experimental Captain’s is committed to providing
dependable, reliable and professional
we will be able to promote early awareness of the disease and insomnia drug known as DORA-12, which is like the FDA- ground transportation to and from all
earlier modification of the associated risk factors.” approved drug Belsomra (suvorexant). “A lot of drug use South Florida Airports and Seaports.
Research co-investigators of the project include experts and relapse are primarily motivated by a person’s desire To reserve your vehicle: PBCVH212
across various scientific fields: Janet Holt, Ph.D., an academic to alleviate these withdrawal symptoms,” says Illenberger. 561-798-2180 or 800-634-7890 www.captainsairport.com
researcher in FAU’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing; “The idea behind testing this treatment was that if people