Neurobiology of Addiction

Neurobiology of Addiction is conceived as a current survey and synthesis of the most important findings in our understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms of addiction over the past 50 years. The book includes a scholarly introduction, thorough descriptions of animal models of addiction, and separate chapters on the neurobiological mechanisms of addiction for psychostimulants, opioids, alcohol, nicotine and cannabinoids. Key information is provided about the history, sources, pharmacokinetics and psychopathology of addiction for each drug class, as well as the behavioral and neurobiological mechanism of action at the molecular, cellular and neurocircuitry levels of analysis. A chapter on neuroimaging and drug addiction provides a synthesis of exciting new data from neuroimaging in human addicts a unique perspective unavailable from animal studies. The final chapters explore theories of addiction at the neurobiological and neuroadaptational levels, both from a historical and integrative perspective. The book incorporates diverse findings with an emphasis on integration and synthesis rather than discrepancies or differences in the literature. Key Features: Provides a thorough review of the extant literature on the neurobiology of addiction Includes extensive explanation of the role of animal models in elucidating the neurobiological mechanisms of addiction and its pathophysiology Presents a unique perspective on addiction that emphasizes molecular, cellular and neurocircuitry changes in the transition to addiction Synthesizes diverse findings on the neurobiology of addiction to provide a heuristic framework for future work Features extensive documentation through numerous original figures and tables that will be useful for understanding and teachingKoob, George F. is the author of 'Neurobiology of Addiction ', published 2005 under ISBN 9780124192393 and ISBN 0124192394.