Neuroimmune Pharmacology


Book Description

The second edition of Neuroimmune Pharmacology bridges the disciplines of neuroscience, immunology and pharmacology from the molecular to clinical levels with particular thought made to engage new research directives and clinical modalities. Bringing together the foremost field authorities from around the world, Neuroimmune Pharmacology will serve as an invaluable resource for the basic and applied scientists of the current decade and beyond.




Alcohol, Drugs of Abuse, and Immune Functions


Book Description

Substance abusers are an immunocompromised population, vulnerable to a wide array of new and resurgent infectious diseases - in spite of modern treatment. For example, opportunistic infections like tuberculosis are the principal cause of morbidity and mortality in HIV positive patients. Alcohol- and drug-induced disorders are wide-ranging, gaining prominence as the spectrum of emerging diseases broadens. Alcohol, Drugs of Abuse, and Immune Functions reviews the role of these immunosuppressants as cofactors in disease. It covers the basic biology and immunology of impairments to defense against infectious disease. Alcohol and drug use is consistently associated with immunosuppression, although it isn't known if it is the substance itself, a metabolite, or an indirect effect that alters disease resistance. This text explores the advances toward answering this question, examines alcohol in different settings, its relationship to important cells, and the effects it can have on vital organs such as the liver and the lungs.




The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids


Book Description

Significant changes have taken place in the policy landscape surrounding cannabis legalization, production, and use. During the past 20 years, 25 states and the District of Columbia have legalized cannabis and/or cannabidiol (a component of cannabis) for medical conditions or retail sales at the state level and 4 states have legalized both the medical and recreational use of cannabis. These landmark changes in policy have impacted cannabis use patterns and perceived levels of risk. However, despite this changing landscape, evidence regarding the short- and long-term health effects of cannabis use remains elusive. While a myriad of studies have examined cannabis use in all its various forms, often these research conclusions are not appropriately synthesized, translated for, or communicated to policy makers, health care providers, state health officials, or other stakeholders who have been charged with influencing and enacting policies, procedures, and laws related to cannabis use. Unlike other controlled substances such as alcohol or tobacco, no accepted standards for safe use or appropriate dose are available to help guide individuals as they make choices regarding the issues of if, when, where, and how to use cannabis safely and, in regard to therapeutic uses, effectively. Shifting public sentiment, conflicting and impeded scientific research, and legislative battles have fueled the debate about what, if any, harms or benefits can be attributed to the use of cannabis or its derivatives, and this lack of aggregated knowledge has broad public health implications. The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids provides a comprehensive review of scientific evidence related to the health effects and potential therapeutic benefits of cannabis. This report provides a research agendaâ€"outlining gaps in current knowledge and opportunities for providing additional insight into these issuesâ€"that summarizes and prioritizes pressing research needs.




Drugs of Abuse and Immune Function


Book Description

This important publication provides up-to-date reviews using data from human patients and animal models. The goal is to understand the relationship between immunological modification by drugs of abuse and disease resistance. Examined are the major drugs of abuse and their effects on lymphoid cell function, numbers, development, and interactions. Also addressed are reviews of how ethanol, cocaine, morphine, and marijuana effect the immune function. The book includes evaluations of the relationship of immunomodulation by drugs of abuse on resistance to infectious diseases. This is critical to understanding how drugs modulate diseases and cancer development. This invaluable publication is important to those in biochemistry, physiology, chemistry, biology, immunology, cancer, medicine, pharmacology, microbiology, psychology, psychiatry, and additive studies. It is also of value to those in nutrition, pathology, pediatrics, family medicine, gerontology, surgery, sociology, and anatomy. Specialty groups, such as those in tropical medicine and public policy, will have a strong interest in the book. It is also of significant interest to organizations that deal with major numbers of patients using drugs of abuse and with their associated diseases including AIDS.




Critical Issues in Alcohol and Drugs of Abuse Testing


Book Description

Critical Issues in Alcohol and Drugs of Abuse Testing, Second Edition, addresses the general principles and technological advances for measuring drugs and alcohol, along with the pitfalls of drugs of abuse testing. Many designer drugs, for example, are not routinely tested in drugs of abuse panels and may go undetected in a drug test. This updated edition is a must-have for clinical pathologists, toxicologists, clinicians, and medical review officers and regulators, bridging the gap between technical and clinical information. Topics of note include the monitoring of pain management drugs, bath salts, spices (synthetic marijuana), designer drugs and date rape drugs, and more. - Serves as a ready resource of information for alcohol and drug testing - Ideal resource for making decisions related to the monitoring and interpretation of results - Includes concise content for clinical laboratory scientists, toxicologists and clinicians




Intensive Care Medicine


Book Description

The Update compiles the most recent, widespread developments of experimental and clinical research and practice in one comprehensive reference book. The chapters are written by well recognized experts in the field of intensive care and emergency medicine. It is addressed to every on involved in internal medicine, anesthesia, surgery, pediatrics, intensive care and emergency medicine.




New Treatments for Addiction


Book Description

New and improved therapies to treat and protect against drug dependence and abuse are urgently needed. In the United States alone about 50 million people regularly smoke tobacco and another 5 million are addicted to other drugs. In a given year, millions of these individuals attemptâ€"with or without medical assistanceâ€"to quit using drugs, though relapse remains the norm. Furthermore, each year several million teenagers start smoking and nearly as many take illicit drugs for the first time. Research is advancing on promising new means of treating drug addiction using immunotherapies and sustained-release (depot) medications. The aim of this research is to develop medications that can block or significantly attenuate the psychoactive effects of such drugs as cocaine, nicotine, heroin, phencyclidine, and methamphetamine for weeks or months at a time. This represents a fundamentally new therapeutic approach that shows promise for treating drug addiction problems that were difficult to treat in the past. Despite their potential benefits, however, several characteristics of these new methods pose distinct behavioral, ethical, legal, and social challenges that require careful scrutiny. Such issues can be considered unique aspects of safety and efficacy that are fundamentally related to the distinct nature and properties of these new types of medications.




Addiction


Book Description

An essential reference for psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, trainees, and specialist nurses, as well as primary care physicians/GPs with a special interest in mental health conditions and other healthcare professionals.




Facing Addiction in America


Book Description

All across the United States, individuals, families, communities, and health care systems are struggling to cope with substance use, misuse, and substance use disorders. Substance misuse and substance use disorders have devastating effects, disrupt the future plans of too many young people, and all too often, end lives prematurely and tragically. Substance misuse is a major public health challenge and a priority for our nation to address. The effects of substance use are cumulative and costly for our society, placing burdens on workplaces, the health care system, families, states, and communities. The Report discusses opportunities to bring substance use disorder treatment and mainstream health care systems into alignment so that they can address a person's overall health, rather than a substance misuse or a physical health condition alone or in isolation. It also provides suggestions and recommendations for action that everyone-individuals, families, community leaders, law enforcement, health care professionals, policymakers, and researchers-can take to prevent substance misuse and reduce its consequences.




Drugs of Abuse, Immunity, and Infections


Book Description

During the past few decades, drugs of abuse, including marijuana, cocaine, opiates, and alcohol have been studied in detail by biomedical scientists in terms of their effects on the neurophysiology and psychological responses of individuals. Research over the last few years has provided increased knowledge about possible mechanisms by which such drugs increase the likelihood of infections in humans and experimental animals. In Drugs of Abuse, Immunity, and Infections prominent investigators review important new information concerning the effects of recreational drugs on susceptibility to infection by microorganisms. The volume examines the effects of drugs such as cocaine, morphine, marijuana, and opiates on immunity in humans and animals. It covers the molecular and cellular mechanisms of drug-induced immunosuppression and describes the overall enhanced susceptibility to infection in recreational drug users. It discusses the alteration of susceptibility to the retrovirus that causes the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and the consensus that drugs of abuse may serve as a possible cofactor in the progression of AIDS. Drugs of Abuse, Immunity, and Infections also includes important information concerning public health aspects of drugs of abuse and infection.