A new study published in Biological Psychiatry explored the effects of stress on alcohol craving and identified the insula as a key region in this response. Conducted by the Central Institute of Mental Health in Mannheim, the study examined 98 individuals with alcohol problems using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The results showed that psychosocial stress triggered increased activation of the left insula, particularly when viewing alcohol-related images. This activation correlated with heightened alcohol craving and increased alcohol consumption. The study suggests that the insula plays a crucial role in stress-induced drinking and could pave the way for a precision medicine approach to treating stress-induced alcohol consumption.

Dresden University Hospital offers support for crystal-dependent mothers and fathers. Around 20 crystal-dependent mothers are treated every year, and now fathers are also being integrated into the therapy programme. The "Mum, think of me" project supports young women in their new role, particularly after giving birth, and aims to prevent parents and child from having to be separated. Professor Maximilian Pilhatsch is head of the outpatient addiction clinic at Dresden University Hospital and is part of the interdisciplinary offer that gives young families in difficult situations a perspective. The paediatric and gynaecological clinic is located in the immediate vicinity of the outpatient addiction clinic in the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy. This means that women who use drugs and their children are cared for by the doctors at the University Hospital during and after pregnancy. The aim of the treatment is abstinence, and in a phase lasting around six months with joint sessions in the mothers' group, the women are also supported by the social services. The programme is now being expanded, partly with the help of prize money. Maximilian Pilhatsch and his team have been honoured with the Otsuka Team Award Psychiatry worth 10,000 euros for their project. Read the full text here: Crystal in der Schwangerschaft: Wie Dresdner Mediziner abhängigen Familien helfen | Sächsische.de (saechsische.de)

The entire TRR265 consortium is coming from March 11th to 13th. together in Weimar. More details to follow.