NEUROBIOLOGY OF ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE

Course overview

A major goal of alcohol research is to understand the neural underpinnings associated with the transition from alcohol use to alcohol dependence. Chronic exposure to alcohol induces changes in neural circuits that control motivational processes, including arousal, reward, and stress. These neuroadaptations produce changes in sensitivity to alcohol¿s effects following repeated exposure (i.e., sensitization and tolerance) and a withdrawal state following discontinuation of alcohol use. Chronic alcohol exposure also results in persistent neural deficits, some of which may fully recover following extended periods of abstinence. However, the organism remains susceptible to relapse, even after long periods of abstinence. Recent research focusing on brain arousal, reward, and stress systems is accelerating our understanding of the components of alcohol dependence and contributing to the development of new treatment strategies.