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Centre for Addiction and Mental Health to say goodbye to its landmark Administration Building

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) will say goodbye to its landmark Administration Building at 1001 Queen St. West in a ceremony on October 29, 2009 at 4 p.m. Demolition of the building will begin in January 2010 to make way for the next major phase of CAMH's ambitious redevelopment project, which is transforming care for Ontarians living with addiction and mental health issues.

29 Oct 2009

CAMH Foundation receives $5 million gift for mental health research

An extraordinary gift of $5 million from Mr. G. Raymond Chang, Chancellor of Ryerson University and Chair of CI Financial, will go toward furthering research and education about the treatment of mental health and addictions, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) Foundation announced today.

29 Oct 2009

New clinical uses for old hypertension drug leads to several patents

University of South Florida neuroscientist R. Douglas Shytle's discovery of successful new clinical uses for mecamylamine, a drug once used to treat hypertension, has led to several issued patents on mecamylamine and related compounds. Earlier this month, Shytle, associate professor and research scientist at the USF Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair and the USF Silver Child Development Center, received the university's 2009 "Excellence in Innovation" award.

28 Oct 2009

Development of VLN cigarettes for use in smoking cessation continues: 22nd Century

22nd Century Limited, LLC is pleased to announce that it is continuing development of a very low nicotine cigarette for use in smoking cessation. Clinical trial results demonstrate that these cigarettes, also referred to as ‘nicotine-free’ and ‘denicotinized,’ may be more effective for quitting than FDA-approved therapies.

28 Oct 2009

Crushing virtual cigarettes reduces nicotine dependence

Smokers who crushed computer-simulated cigarettes as part of a psychosocial treatment program in a virtual reality environment had significantly reduced nicotine dependence and higher rates of tobacco abstinence than smokers participating in the same program who grasped a computer-simulated ball, according to a study described in the current issue of CyberPsychology and Behavior, a peer-reviewed journal published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.

28 Oct 2009

Exercise helps people to quit smoking, shows new study

Exercise can help smokers quit because it makes cigarettes less attractive. A new study from the University of Exeter shows for the first time that exercise can lessen the power of cigarettes and smoking-related images to grab the attention of smokers. The study is published in the journal Addiction.

27 Oct 2009

Relationship between cannabis and schizophrenia is controversial

Last year the UK government reclassified cannabis from a class C to a class B drug, partly out of concerns that cannabis, especially the more potent varieties, may increase the risk of schizophrenia in young people. But the evidence for the relationship between cannabis and schizophrenia or psychosis remains controversial.

23 Oct 2009

U.N. report documents how opium contributes to spread of disease, deaths

The U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) on Wednesday released a report - "Addiction, Crime and Insurgency: The Transnational Threat of Afghan Opium" - documenting how "[t]he smuggling of Afghan opiates is fueling addiction and drug use along trafficking routes from Iran to Central Asia," and contributing to the spread of diseases, the Associated Press reports (Oleksyn, 10/21).

23 Oct 2009

Free medical application for health care professionals

Presents the most commonly asked pain management and/or addiction medicine questions, and presents them in easy-to-view, brief video vignettes. You can view 30-second to 2-minute videos in pharmacotherapy; assessment; abuse, misuse & addiction; best practices; and legal issues.

22 Oct 2009

TSN and EAP team up for P.O.W.E.R. Initiative

Treatment Solutions Network (TSN) and Capital Employee Assistance Program (EAP) proudly announce their collective commitment to the TSN P.O.W.E.R. Initiative and the ultimate care and protection it will provide for Public Safety Officers everywhere.

22 Oct 2009

Research in specific cells and circuitry affected by addiction may help guard against relapse

New research using animal models is enabling a deeper understanding of the neurobiology of compulsive drug addiction in humans - knowledge that may lead to more effective treatment options to weaken the powerful cravings that cause people to relapse.

22 Oct 2009

Enzo Biochem to release a new catalog dealing with epigenetics and chromatin modification

Enzo Biochem, Inc. today said that its Life Sciences subsidiary will release a new catalog dealing with “Epigenetics & Chromatin Modification” at the Society for Neuroscience’s, Neuroscience 2009 conference, beginning October 17, 2009, in Chicago, Illinois.

15 Oct 2009

Layoffs, privatization may not help people struggling with substance abuse

The union which represents employees at the District of Columbia's Addiction Prevention and Recovery Administration (APRA) called on the D.C. City Council to restore services to thousands of D.C. residents struggling with addiction.

15 Oct 2009

Positive results from Alkermes' ALKS 33 clinical trials announced

Alkermes, Inc. today announced positive topline data from two clinical trials of ALKS 33, an investigational oral opioid modulator for the treatment of addiction and other central nervous system disorders. Data from the studies, ALK33-003 and ALK33-004, showed that ALKS 33 was generally well tolerated and successfully blocked the effects of an opioid, with a duration of action that supports once daily dosing.

13 Oct 2009

Meda Pharmaceuticals introduces Onsolis for treating breakthrough cancer pain

Meda Pharmaceuticals Inc. today announced the launch of Onsolis(TM)(fentanyl buccal soluble film) in the U.S. for the management of breakthrough pain (BTP) in patients with cancer, eighteen years of age and older, who are already receiving and who are tolerant to opioid therapy for their underlying persistent cancer pain.

13 Oct 2009

Wake Forest University School of Medicine honours researchers

Wake Forest University School of Medicine honored eight of its researchers with awards for excellence at the 13th Annual Research Awards Day Oct. 1.

12 Oct 2009

White House honors PET researcher with National Science Award

Joanna Fowler, Ph.D., a major contributor to brain research and a pioneer in molecular imaging, is being recognized by the White House with the National Medal of Science-the highest award for lifetime achievement in science. Eight other researchers will join Fowler to receive the award at a White House ceremony on October 7.

8 Oct 2009

Hope for deadly smoking addiction; federal Tobacco Act amendment on the anvil

The Canadian Lung Association today congratulated Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq and all Parliamentarians on the passage of Bill C-32, an Act to Amend the federal Tobacco Act. The passage of the Act is a key win in the fight against smoking and the tobacco industry.

7 Oct 2009

Landmark tobacco bill passed by Senate in Canada

Landmark tobacco legislation (Bill C-32, An Act to Amend the Tobacco Act) - passed by the Senate today - will ban flavoured cigarettes and cigarillos as well as tobacco advertising in magazines and newspapers.

7 Oct 2009

Unique program for women veterans

At a time when Americans are just beginning to pay attention to the special challenges faced by women who have served in the military, the Northampton-based non-profit Soldier On has created a national model for helping women veterans in crisis.

6 Oct 2009