- Researchers study a specific brain circuit linked to relapse.
- The circuit connects two brain areas involved in motivation.
- The team used an animal model to mimic people.
- Reducing activity in the circuit lowered drug-seeking behavior.
- One method used a light fiber inside the brain.
- Another method used a designer receptor and a drug.
- Both approaches cut heroin-seeking in the model.
- This research may help reduce relapse in people.
Difficult words
- relapse — return to drug use after stopping
- circuit — a path of connected brain parts
- motivation — reason to do something or try
- model — an animal used to study human problemsanimal model
- reduce — make something smaller or less in amountReducing
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Do you think this research can help people?
- Have you seen a brain picture or model?
- Do you think animal studies can help people?
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