Plasticity of reward neurocircuitry and the 'dark side' of drug addiction.
Drug seeking is associated with activation of reward neural circuitry. Here we argue that drug addiction also involves a 'dark side'--a decrease in the function of normal reward-related neurocircuitry and persistent recruitment of anti-reward systems. Understanding the neuroplasticity of the dark side of this circuitry is the key to understanding vulnerability to addiction.
Koob
George F
GF
Molecular and Integrative Neurosciences Department, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, 92037, USA. gkoob@scripps.edu
Le Moal
Michel
M
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D012201:Reward; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*