Imaging the addicted human brain.
Modern imaging techniques enable researchers to observe drug actions and consequences as they occur and persist in the brains of abusing and addicted individuals. This article presents the five most commonly used techniques, explains how each produces images, and describes how researchers interpret them. The authors give examples of key findings illustrating how each technique has extended and deepened our knowledge of the neurobiological bases of drug abuse and addiction, and they address potential clinical and therapeutic applications.
Fowler
Joanna S
JS
Medical Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973, USA. fowler@bnl.gov
Volkow
Nora D
ND
Kassed
Cheryl A
CA
Chang
Linda
L
D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014054:Tomography
D011954:Receptors, Dopamine; D004298:Dopamine