Drugs, Addiction, and the Brain

Drugs, Addiction, and the Brain explores the molecular, cellular, and neurocircuitry systems in the brain that are responsible for drug addiction. Common neurobiological elements are emphasized that provide novel insights into how the brain mediates the acute rewarding effects of drugs of abuse and how it changes during the transition from initial drug use to compulsive drug use and addiction. The book provides a detailed overview of the pathophysiology of the disease. The information provided will be useful for neuroscientists in the field of addiction, drug abuse treatment providers, and undergraduate and postgraduate students who are interested in learning the diverse effects of drugs of abuse on the brain.

Full-color circuitry diagrams of brain regions implicated in each stage of the addiction cycleActual data figures from original sources illustrating key concepts and findingsIntroduction to basic neuropharmacology terms and conceptsIntroduction to numerous animal models used to study diverse aspects of drug use.Thorough review of extant work on the neurobiology of addiction

1. What Is Addiction?
2. Introduction to the Neuropsychopharmacology of Drug Addiction
3. Animal Models of Addiction
4. Psychostimulants
5. Opioids
6. Alcohol
7. Nicotine
8. Cannabinoids
9. Medications for the Treatment of Addiction: A Neurobiological Perspective