NEWS

How the brain helps us deal with loss
As seen in New Scientist, the Los Angeles Times and U.S. News & World Report, new research in Neuropsychopharmacology has identified the crucial role corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) plays in dealing with the long term separation or loss of a partner. Studying pairs of prairie voles, the scientists found that this reaction differs from other types of separation, such as from a sibling. The findings suggest that the elevated CRF levels found in pair bonded voles cause the aversive emotional states associated with the loss of a mate. Read the press release and article for free to find out more.

Oxycodone is more addictive to adolescents, mouse study finds
Adolescents are more prone to develop an addiction to the opioid painkiller oxycodone due to their increased sensitivity to its rewarding effects, finds a mouse study comparing adults and adolescents. The work highlights the potential dangers of adolescent exposure to oxycodone and clarifies the biological processes underlying this addiction in young people. For more details read the article for free and see here for the press release.

New additions to the Disclosure/Conflict of interest policy. What constitutes a conflict of interest? We highly recommend all authors to consult the Instructions to Authors for fully detailed information on the revised editorial policy on disclosing conflicts. All manuscript authors must complete an updated Authorship Disclosure Form to avoid delays in the submission process.

Advanced Online Publication available with Neuropsychopharmacology. Articles are published online on a weekly basis prior to publication in the print issue of the Journal.