RESEARCH IS NOW UNDERWAY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER THAT COULD HELP IN THE BATTLE AGAINST OPIOID ADDICTION. SEVERAL RESEARCHERS ARE USING A 250-THOUSAND DOLLAR GRANT FROM THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH TO DEVELOP A VACCINE THAT WOULD BLOCK OPIOIDS FROM AFFECTING THE BRAIN,THUS LOWERING THE ADDICTIVE NATURE OF THE DRUGS.
THE RESEARCHERS HOPE TO DEVELOP A VACCINE THAT WOULD REQUIRE A SINGLE INOCULATION THAT WOULD HAVE A STRONG AND LONG-LASTING IMPACT. THEY SAY THE VACCINE WOULD BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH OTHER FORMS OF TREATMENT. THE INITIAL FIRST PHASE OF TESTING WILL BE ON MICE.
THE WORK IS BEING DONE AS A COLLABORATION WITH A RESEARCHER AT NORTHER ARIZONA UNIVERSITY.
