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Is there a common molecular pathway for addiction?

Nature Neuroscience volume 8, pages 1445–1449 (2005)Cite this article

Abstract

Drugs of abuse have very different acute mechanisms of action but converge on the brain's reward pathways by producing a series of common functional effects after both acute and chronic administration. Some similar actions occur for natural rewards as well. Researchers are making progress in understanding the molecular and cellular basis of these common effects. A major goal for future research is to determine whether such common underpinnings of addiction can be exploited for the development of more effective treatments for a wide range of addictive disorders.

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Figure 1: Highly simplified scheme of converging acute actions of drugs of abuse on the VTA-NAc.
Figure 2: Highly simplified scheme of some common, chronic actions of drugs of abuse on the VTA-NAc.

Ann Thomson

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Acknowledgements

Preparation of this review was supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

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  1. the Department of Psychiatry and Center for Basic Neuroscience, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, 75390-9070, Texas, USA

    Eric J Nestler

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Nestler, E. Is there a common molecular pathway for addiction?. Nat Neurosci 8, 1445–1449 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/nn1578

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