From traumatic childhood to cocaine abuse: the critical function of the immune system

Experiencing traumatic childhood is a risk factor for developing substance use disorder (SUD), but the mechanisms that underlie this relationship have not been determined. Adverse childhood experiences affect the immune system and the immune system mediates the effects of psychostimulants. However, whether this system is involved in the etiology of SUD in individuals who have experience early life stress is unknown.

Source: Biological Psychiatry - June 11, 2018 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Luisa Lo Iacono, Clarissa Catale, Alessandro Martini, Alessandro Valzania, Maria Teresa Viscomi, Valerio Chiurchi ù, Ezia Guatteo, Silvia Bussone, Fabiana Perrone, Paola Di Sabato, Eleonora Aricò, Alberto D’Argenio, Alfonso Troisi, Nicola B. Mercuri, Tags: Archival Report Source Type: research