Neurobiology of Alcohol and Drug Addiction - NEURO550
Focuses on the interactions between neural circuits and neurosignaling mechanisms that provide well-regulated brain function, and how premorbid conditions, genetic predisposition, and long-term drug exposure dysregulates these mechanisms in a manner leading to the psychopathology of addiction
Course Directors: Barbara Mason and Eric Zorrilla
Term: Fall (every other year)
Credits: 3.0
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course focuses on the interactions between neural circuits and neurosignaling mechanisms that provide well-regulated brain function, and how premorbid conditions, genetic predisposition, and long-term drug exposure dysregulates these mechanisms in a manner leading to the psychopathology of addiction. Lectures will cover various levels of neuroscientific analysis ranging from neurodevelopment, neurogenesis, synaptic plasticity, neurocircuitry, neuroimaging and behavioral analysis in both laboratory animals and humans. The neuropsychopharmacology of all major classes of abused drugs will be covered, along with potential therapeutic uses of several drug classes. Topics of medications development and clinical approaches for the treatment of addiction will be covered.
