Plasticity of reward neurocircuitry and the'dark side'of drug addiction

GF Koob, M Le Moal - Nature neuroscience, 2005 - nature.com
GF Koob, M Le Moal
Nature neuroscience, 2005nature.com
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.
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.
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