may stay mutated for months in the living who are recovering

Researchers discovered it was still modified in heroin addicts who had died

in the reward center of the brain is modified in drug abusers

Addictive cravings are still persistent after death, finds a new study.

A protein in the reward center of the brain is altered in those suffering from a chemical dependency – it is split off and shortened.

Following numerous autopsies, Austrian researchers found the modified protein in deceased heroin addicts - suggesting cravings for the stimulus continued after their death.

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A protein in the reward center of the brain is altered in those suffering from a chemical dependency – it is split off and shortened. Experts found the modified protein in deceased heroin addicts, which suggests a craving for a stimulus continues after death

THE EVIDENCE FosB is a protein that transmits stimuli to cells. When someone abuses drugs, such as heroin, it turns into DeltaFosB, which is increasingly stimulated in cases of chronic use and even influences growth factors and structural changes (neuronal plasticity) in the brain. The team found the protein was still modified even 9 dies after a heroin addict had died. Researchers believe the period is much longer in the living who are trying to recover – and it can last for months. Advertisement

The protein, called FosB, is a transcription factor in the brain which, together with other molecules, is involved in so-called signal transduction (transmission of stimuli to the cells).

It is said to convey genetic information between the cells and also determines whether certain genes are activated or not.

FosB is part of the activating protein AP1, which is involved with regulating gene expression in response to a range of stimulus, including stress and bacterial infections.

Due to a constant supply of drugs, such as heroin, FosB turns into DeltaFosB, which is increasingly stimulated in cases of chronic use and even influences growth factors and structural changes (neuronal plasticity) in the brain - approximately in the region where memory is formed.

The evidence that the modified protein lingers after death was discovered by the Medical University of Vienna's Department of Forensic Medicine, which examined tissue samples from the nucleus accumbens (an area of the brain) of 15 deceased heroin addicts.

'Using highly sensitive detection methods, DeltaFosB was still detectable nine days after death,' the team explained.

Due to a constant supply of drugs, such as heroin (pictured), FosB turns into DeltaFosB, which is increasingly stimulated in cases of chronic use and even influences growth factors and structural changes in the brain - approximately in the region where memory is formed

Although the mutation of the protein can be identified more than a week after death, researchers believe the period is much longer in the living who are trying to recover – and it can last for months.

They also suggest these results will help advance treatments and management of people with opiate dependencies and heroin addictions, with how to deal with withdrawal being the focus.

FosB turns into DeltaFosB (pictured is mutated FosB in a deseaced herion addict) during drug abuse. Right is FosB in a person who is not suffering from drug dependency

Researches examined tissue samples from the nucleus accumbens (an area of the brain) of 15 deceased heroin addicts. 'Using highly sensitive detection methods, DeltaFosB (pictured) was still detectable nine days after death,' the team explained.

'If the addictive craving persists in the brain for months, it is very important to provide protracted after-care and corresponding psychological support,' said Monika Seltenhammer, a researcher involved in the study.

'Our results show that forensics and forensic medicine can also be of direct benefit to the living,' emphasized Daniele Risser, the lead author.