Plasticity of addiction: a mesolimbic dopamine short-circuit?
The development of drug addiction progresses along a continuum from acute drug use to compulsive use and drug seeking behavior. Many researchers have focused on identifying the physiological mechanisms involved in drug addiction in order to develop effective pharmacotherapies. Neuroplasticity, the putative mechanism underlying learning and memory, is modified by drugs of abuse and may contribute to the development of the eventual addicted state. Innovative treatments directly targeting these drug-induced changes in brain reward components and circuits may be efficacious in reducing drug use and relapse.
Niehaus
Jason L
JL
Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Physiology and Biotechnology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, USA.
Cruz-Bermudez
Nelson D
ND
Kauer
Julie A
JA
D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008568:Memory; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000378:metabolism*; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D009538:Nicotine / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D009714:Nucleus Accumbens / Q000378:metabolism; D018091:Receptors, AMPA / Q000378:metabolism; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000378:metabolism; D012008:Recurrence; D012201:Reward; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000378:metabolism*
D018722:Nicotinic Agonists; D018091:Receptors, AMPA; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D009538:Nicotine; D004298:Dopamine