PsychBriefs: October 21-27, 2007

Scientists Identify Drug-Craving Region of Brain
Chilean researchers have identified a region of the brain called the insular cortex, or insula, as being central to amphetamine addiction in rats. This region of the brain was found to be tied not only to drug cravings, but also to feelings of gastrointestinal discomfort linked to withdrawal. Blocking the insula in rats eliminated these responses in experiments.
[ABSTRACT]

Worm Study Suggests Sexual Orientation Wired in Brain
University of Utah scientists have genetically altered worms to be same-sex attracted. Using nematode worms, which are comprised primarily of hermaphrodites capable of fertilizing their own eggs and the occasional male, attracted to hermaphrodites. Activating genes in the hermaphrodite brain, scientists were able to produce hermaphrodites that were attracted to the pheromones of other hermaphrodites. The findings from their research suggests sexual orientation is part of the nervous system.
[ARTICLE]

Parents and Psychiatrists Differ on Views of ADHD
More than three-fourths of parents and psychiatrists had different responses as to what the "most concerning behavior" -- for example behaviors related to comorbid depression or bipolar disorder -- of a child/patient with complicated attention deficit disorder (ADHD) was. Parents tended to be most concerned about aggression and defiance, but reported that these issues were often not discussed.
[ARTICLE