The role of neuroadaptations in relapse to drug seeking.
One of the most difficult problems in treating addiction is not withdrawing addicts from drugs, but preventing relapse. Persistent neuroadaptations are thought to underlie aspects of addiction, including relapse. This commentary assesses the degree to which these neuroadaptations, primarily identified in preclinical studies on cocaine, induce relapse.
Shaham
Yavin
Y
Behavioral Neuroscience Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 5500 Nathan Shock Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA. yshaham@intra.nida.nih.gov
Hope
Bruce T
BT
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000679:Amygdala / Q000503:physiopathology; D000818:Animals; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D012008:Recurrence; D013997:Time Factors