scholarly journals Exploration of Epigenetic State Hyperdopaminergia (Surfeit) and Genetic Trait Hypodopaminergia (Deficit) During Adolescent Brain Development

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth Blum ◽  
Abdalla Bowirrat ◽  
Marjorie C. Gondre Lewis ◽  
Thomas A. Simpatico ◽  
Mauro Ceccanti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risky Behaviors ◽  
Deficiency Syndrome ◽  
Genetic Trait ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Risk Alleles ◽  
Epigenetic Events ◽  
Addiction Risk ◽  
The Face ◽  
Addictive Drug ◽  
Adolescent Brain Development

Background: Understanding the risk for all addictive drug and non-drug behaviors, especially, in the unmyelinated Prefrontal Cortex (PFC) of adolescents, is important and complex. Many animal and human studies show the epigenetic impact on the developing brain in adolescents, compared to adults. Some reveal an underlying hyperdopaminergia that seems to set our youth up for risky behaviors by inducing high quanta pre-synaptic dopamine release at reward site neurons. In addition, altered reward gene expression in adolescents caused epigenetically by social defeat, like bullying, can continue into adulthood. In contrast, there is also evidence that epigenetic events can elicit adolescent hypodopaminergia. This complexity suggests that neuroscience cannot make a definitive claim that all adolescents carry a hyperdopaminergia trait. Objective: The primary issue involves the question of whether there exists a mixed hypo or hyper –dopaminergia in this population. Method: Genetic Addiction Risk Score (GARS®) testing of 24 Caucasians, ages 12-19 derived from families with RDS. Results: We have found that adolescents from this cohort, derived from RDS parents, displays a high risk for any addictive behavior (a hypodopaminergia), especially, drug-seeking (95%) and alcohol-seeking (64 %). Conclusion: The adolescents in our study, although more work is required, show a hypodopaminergic trait, derived from a family with Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS). Certainly in future studies we will analyze GARS in non-RDS Caucasians between the ages of 12-19. The suggestion is first to identify risk alleles with the GARS test and, then, use well-researched precision, pro-dopamine neutraceutical regulation. This “two-hit” approach might prevent tragic fatalities among adolescents, in the face of the American opioid/psychostimulant, epidemic.

In Search of Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS)-Free Controls: The “Holy Grail” in Genetic Addiction Risk Testing

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth Blum ◽  
David Baron ◽  
Lisa Lott ◽  
Jessica V. Ponce ◽  
David Siwicki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Score ◽  
Association Studies ◽  
Deficiency Syndrome ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Addictive Behaviors ◽  
Internet Gaming ◽  
Risk Alleles ◽  
Addiction Risk ◽  
Reward Deficiency Syndrome

Background: The search for an accurate, gene-based test to identify heritable risk factors for Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS) was conducted based on hundreds of published studies about the role of dopamine in addictive behaviors, including risk for drug dependence and compulsive/impulsive behavior disorders. The term RDS was first coined by Blum’s group in 1995 to identify a group of behaviors with a common neurobiological mechanism associated with a polymorphic allelic propensity for hypodopaminergia. Objectives: To outline the process used to select risk alleles of reward genes for the Genetic Addiction Risk Score (GARS) test. Consequently, to address the limitations caused by inconsistent results that occur in many case-control behavioral association studies. These limitations are perhaps due to the failure of investigators to adequately screen controls for drug and alcohol use disorder, and any of the many RDS behaviors, including nicotine dependence, obesity, pathological gambling, and internet gaming addiction. Method: Review of the literature related to the function of risk alleles of reward genes associated with hypodopaminergia relevant case-control association studies for the selection of alleles to be measured by the Genetic Addiction Risk Score (GARS) test. Result: The prevalence of the DRD2 A1 allele in unscreened controls (33.3%), compared to “Super-Controls” [highly screened RDS controls (3.3%) in proband and family] is used to exemplify a possible solution. Conclusion: Unlike One Gene-One Disease (OGOD), RDS is polygenetic, and very complex. In addition, any RDS-related behaviors must be eliminated from the control group in order to obtain the best possible statistical analysis instead of comparing the phenotype with diseaseridden controls.

scholarly journals A Novel Precision Approach to Overcome the “Addiction Pandemic” by Incorporating Genetic Addiction Risk Severity (GARS) and Dopamine Homeostasis Restoration

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 212
Author(s):  
Kenneth Blum ◽  
Shan Kazmi ◽  
Edward J. Modestino ◽  
B. William Downs ◽  
Debasis Bagchi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Opioid Analgesic ◽  
Deficiency Syndrome ◽  
Opioid Use Disorder ◽  
Testing System ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Addictive Disorders ◽  
Medication Assisted Treatment ◽  
Risk Alleles ◽  
Addiction Risk

This article describes a unique therapeutic precision intervention, a formulation of enkephalinase inhibitors, enkephalin, and dopamine-releasing neuronutrients, to induce dopamine homeostasis for detoxification and treatment of individuals genetically predisposed to developing reward deficiency syndrome (RDS). The formulations are based on the results of the addiction risk severity (GARS) test. Based on both neurogenetic and epigenetic evidence, the test evaluates the presence of reward genes and risk alleles. Existing evidence demonstrates that the novel genetic risk testing system can successfully stratify the potential for developing opioid use disorder (OUD) related risks or before initiating opioid analgesic therapy and RDS risk for people in recovery. In the case of opioid use disorders, long-term maintenance agonist treatments like methadone and buprenorphine may create RDS, or RDS may have been in existence, but not recognized. The test will also assess the potential for benefit from medication-assisted treatment with dopamine augmentation. RDS methodology holds a strong promise for reducing the burden of addictive disorders for individuals, their families, and society as a whole by guiding the restoration of dopamine homeostasisthrough anti-reward allostatic neuroadaptations. WC 175

The Goddess on Wheels: Maria R. Palacios

Sexualities ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 334-349
Author(s):  
Maricela DeMirjyn
Keyword(s):  
Women Of Color ◽  
Mission Statement ◽  
Narrative Research ◽  
Spoken Word ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
The Disabled ◽  
The Face ◽  
Embodied Subjectivity ◽  
Performance Project ◽  
Sexuality And Disability

This article discusses the performance work by disability activist, Maria R. Palacios who is a Latina feminist writer, poet and spoken word performer. Using narrative inquiry as a method of investigation, performances by Palacios are analyzed within the context of sexuality and disability studies. Specific performances are reviewed under the framework of the nonprofit organization Sins Invalid: An Unshamed Claim to Beauty in the Face of Invisibility, and include the following pieces by Palacios: Maria Full of Sin (2008), Testimony (2009), Hunger (2009), My Sexy Disability (2010) and Vagina Manifesto (2009). As a performance project, Sins Invalid notes in its mission statement that its ‘performance work explores the themes of sexuality, embodiment and the disabled body’, and the performances are designed to inspire visions of beauty and sexuality that disrupt heteronormative, as well as ableist, paradigms. A portion of this work will be centered on the Sins Invalid website focusing on entries in the form of blog postings dedicated to the performances by Palacios. Additionally, her autobiographic and culturally focused spoken word pieces and poems, such as Making Love to Woman in a Wheelchair (2007), will be thematically analyzed regarding her embodied subjectivity as a sexualized and self-identified disabled Latina. In conclusion, an examination of how performance, in conjunction with narrative research, provides a critical lens regarding visibility and the embodiment of dis/abled women of color for future studies is shared.

scholarly journals Extra ocular sebaceous adenocarcinoma in HIV-positive patient - case report

2013 ◽  
Vol 88 (6 suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 19-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carla Kellen da Silva Menezes ◽  
Nathália Matos Gomes ◽  
Alex Panizza Jalkh ◽  
Emily dos Santos Franco ◽  
Thalita Gomes Martins
Keyword(s):  
Immune Deficiency ◽  
Immune Deficiency Syndrome ◽  
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome ◽  
Deficiency Syndrome ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Patient Case ◽  
Adnexal Tumor ◽  
The Face ◽  
Adnexal Tumors ◽  
Acquired Immune Deficiency

Sebaceous adenocarcinoma is a rare adnexal tumor that can affect the skin and is divided into ocular, a more common form and extra ocular, of a rarer occurrence. We report the case of a patient diagnosed with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) who developed an extra ocular, bulky and fast-growing sebaceous adenocarcinoma on the face. The literature has suggested that transplanted patients and HIV-positive patients have an excess risk for developing adnexal tumors, including sebaceous adenocarcinoma.

Genetic addiction risk score analysis: hypodopaminergic polymorphic risk alleles in polydrug addicted males and meso-limbic dopaminergic agonistic activation by neuroadaptagen amino-acid therapy

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 803-803
Author(s):  
K. Blum ◽  
E. Stice ◽  
Y. Liu ◽  
J. Giordano ◽  
S. Morse ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Risk Score ◽  
D2 Receptor ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Heroin Addicts ◽  
Acid Therapy ◽  
Risk Alleles ◽  
Addiction Risk ◽  
The Impact

IntroductionThere is a need to classify patients at genetic risk for drug seeking behavior prior to or upon entry to chemical dependency programs.MethodsThe prevalence of seven risk alleles (DRD2 = A1; SLC6A3 (DAT) = 10R; DRD4 = 3R or 7R; 5HTTLPR = L or LA; MAO = 3R; COMT = G) and corresponding severity risk score (Low (LS) = 1–36%, moderate (MS) = 37–50%, and high (HS) = 51–100%) were calculated. Group 1 consisted of 16 Caucasian male psycho-stimulant addicts, and Group 2 consisted of 10 Chinese male heroin addicts (9 were genotyped). qEEG and fMRI visualized the impact of Neuroadaptagen Amino-Acid Therapy complex on mesolimbic system activation.Results[Findings by Group]74% of the combined groups had a moderate to high genetic addiction risk score (GARS). One acute dose of KB220-IV variant in heroin addicts having brain abnormalities was found to normalize qEEG. Additionally, a randomized double-blind placebo controlled study involving oral KB220-Z variant established qEEG normalization of reward circuitry in abstinent psycho-stimulant abusers (P < 0.03).ConclusionsWe cautiously suggest that long-term activation of dopaminergic receptors will lead to D2 receptor proliferation and enhanced “dopamine sensitivity,” thus reducing aberrant craving behavior especially in carriers of the DRD2 A1 allele. Although supported by 20 clinical trials, KB220-Z awaits PET scanning to determine its chronic effects on D2 receptor numbers.

scholarly journals Interdisciplinary challenges for elucidating human olfactory attractiveness

2020 ◽  
Vol 375 (1800) ◽  
pp. 20190268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camille Ferdenzi ◽  
Stéphane Richard Ortegón ◽  
Sylvain Delplanque ◽  
Nicolas Baldovini ◽  
Moustafa Bensafi
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Chemical Communication ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
The Body ◽  
Olfactory Communication ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
The Face ◽  
Behavioural Sciences

Many species use chemicals to communicate. In humans, there is increasing evidence that chemicals conveyed by the body are extremely important in interpersonal relationships. However, many aspects of chemical communication remain to be explored to fully understand this function in humans. The aim of this article is to identify relevant challenges in this field, with a focus on human attractiveness in the context of reproduction, and to put forward roadmaps for future studies that will hopefully extend to a wider range of social interactions. The first challenge consists in not being limited to body (mal)odours from the axilla. Preliminary data on how the odour of the face and head is perceived are presented. Second, there is a crucial need to increase our knowledge of the chemical bases of human chemical communication. Third, cross-cultural approaches must not be overlooked, because they have a major input in understanding the universal and culture-specific aspects of chemical communication. Fourth, the influence of specific cultural practices such as contraceptive and fragrance use is likely to be prominent and, therefore, needs to be well described. The fifth and last challenge for research projects in this field is the integration of different disciplines such as behavioural sciences, social sciences, neurosciences and microbiology. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue ‘Olfactory communication in humans’.

scholarly journals Molecular Genetic Testing in Pain and Addiction: Facts, Fiction and Clinical Utility

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth Blum ◽  
Mary Hauser ◽  
James Fratantonio ◽  
Rajendra D. Badgaiyan
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Testing ◽  
Clinical Utility ◽  
Molecular Genetic ◽  
Deficiency Syndrome ◽  
Pain Tolerance ◽  
Addictive Behaviors ◽  
Molecular Genetic Testing ◽  
Addiction Risk ◽  
Brain Reward ◽  
The Brain

AbstractThe Brain Reward Cascade (BRC) is an interaction of neurotransmitters and their respective genes to control the amount of dopamine released within the brain. Any variations within this pathway, whether genetic or environmental (epigenetic), may result in addictive behaviors as well as altered pain tolerance. While there are many studies claiming a genetic association with addiction and other behavioral infractions, defined as Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS), not all are scientifically accurate and in some case just wrong. Albeit our bias, we discuss herein the facts and fictions behind molecular genetic testing in RDS (including pain and addiction) and the significance behind the development of the Genetic Addiction Risk Score (GARSPREDX™), the first test to accurately predict one’s genetic risk for RDS.

HIV Psychiatry—A Paradigm for Integrated Care

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Ann Cohen ◽  
Michael J. Mugavero ◽  
Elise Hall
Keyword(s):  
Integrated Care ◽  
Psychiatric Care ◽  
Hiv Transmission ◽  
Immune Deficiency Syndrome ◽  
Risky Behaviors ◽  
Deficiency Syndrome ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
Medically Ill ◽  
Stigma Of Mental Illness ◽  
Hiv Aids

Psychiatric factors play a significant role in the transmission and perpetuation of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pandemic. In less than four decades, competent HIV medical care and research transformed acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) from a rapidly fatal illness of unknown cause into a chronic manageable illness. These vast strides made in the care of persons with HIV have not been matched in the prevention of HIV transmission or in the psychiatric care of persons with HIV/AIDS. Although AIDS is an entirely preventable infectious illness, HIV transmission continues throughout the world. HIV transmission of HIV is fueled by the stigma of mental illness and of HIV, as well as discrimination, criminalization, and risky behaviors. A comprehensive biopsychosocial approach to sexual health and mental health and diminution of stigma is essential to both HIV prevention and HIV care. This chapter introduces the concept of HIV/AIDS as “the great magnifier of maladies” as it traces the history of HIV psychiatry, explores the paradoxes and disparities of HIV care, explains how HIV psychiatry is a paradigm for the psychiatric care of the medically ill (psychosomatic medicine), and sets the stage for an understanding of how integrated care can prevent transmission of HIV and decrease morbidity and mortality in persons with HIV.

Business Continuity Management: A Preliminary Systematic Literature Review Based on ScienceDirect Database

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 546-555
Author(s):  
Kananut Charoenthammachoke ◽  
Natt Leelawat ◽  
Jing Tang ◽  
Akira Kodaka ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Systematic Literature Review ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Business Continuity ◽  
It Security ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Business Continuity Management ◽  
The Face ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The Relationship

Business Continuity Management (BCM) is commonly known as one of the most effective programs to use in the face of crisis, incident, and disaster, specifically for organizations to continue or resume their operations. Over time, the concept has gained popularity and has developed into one of the strategies in a resilience plan. The purpose of this study is to explore the trend of BCM, the subject, and the relationship between BCM and associated study fields through a preliminary systematic literature review. This research used the articles from ScienceDirect database from January 1, 1999, to December 31, 2018. This study analyzed the collected articles using their publication years, journal titles, countries, and relevant study fields. The result found that several papers have been published since 1999, which focus predominantly on the BCM standard. The rate of publication on BCM had escalated in 2015. There were 82 papers about BCM. The issues were categorized into ten main subjects. Among them, the most frequently mentioned are Information Technology (IT) security, followed by implementing BCM into diverse study disciplines, implementing new toolkits into BCM associated studies, BCM improvement, resilience, lessons learned, supply chain, and BCM advantages. The gap of the research lays a foundation for future studies in similar fields.

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