News Archive - School of Medicine

Genetic Mapping Identifies Potential New Targets for Cocaine Addiction

UC San Diego researchers have identified genetic drivers of cocaine addiction, uncovering a potential new treatment target in the liver. This large-scale study maps how metabolism influences addiction-like behavior to bridge the gap to human medicine.

Homegrown Healers

The University of California San Diego School of Medicine celebrated its 55th Doctor of Medicine graduating class on May 31, 2026. As the new physicians crossed the stage, family and friends beamed with pride, reflecting on the years of dedication that led to this milestone moment.

Gene Therapy Approach Reduces Muscle Spasticity After Chronic Spinal Cord Injury

New research suggests that a single administration of spinal segment-targeted gene therapy may provide a long-lasting strategy for reducing muscle spasticity caused by spinal cord injury and potentially other neurological conditions associated with abnormal muscle tone.

Study: Popular GLP-1 Drug May Slow Down Biological Aging

A study by UC San Diego researchers and their colleagues has found that semaglutide slows down the accumulation of biological aging markers in the DNA of adults with HIV, pointing to the potential of GLP‑1 receptor agonists to help prevent age‑related diseases.

US Overdose Deaths Dropped in 2024 Amid Uneven Progress, Study Finds

U.S. overdose death rates declined between 2023 and 2024, marking the first recorded drop in all four waves of the nation’s overdose crisis. However, overdose deaths involving stimulants without fentanyl, and xylazine-related deaths, continue to rise and racial disparities remain severe.