The paper describes some interesting new findings that are likely to inform …

• (Abstract)
• The Dopaminergic Pathway
• Alcohol Withdrawal: the role of glutamate
• Opioid Dependence: what other neurotransmitter systems are involved?
• Ecstacy: the 5-HT system and neurotoxicity
• The Gabaergic System: target for sedatives
• Conclusion
• References

Neurobiology of addiction and implications for treatment

School of Medical Science, University of Bristol, UK

Correspondence: Dr Anne Lingford-Hughes, Psychopharmacology Unit, School of Medical Science, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK. Tel: 0117 925 3066; fax: 0117 927 7057

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

A.L.-H. is a member of UK Alcohol Forum, which receives a foundation grant from Merck-Lipha (manufacturers of acamprosate) and has received honoraria from a number of pharmaceutical companies to attend conferences, for lecturing and for consultancy. D.N. has received honoraria from Britannia, GlaxoSmithKline, Merck-Lipha and Reckitt & Coleman for lectures and consultancy.

(Abstract)

Drug and alcohol misuse result in immense harm at both individual and societal level. Our understanding of the neuropharmacology of these disorders is increasing through the use of approaches such as neuroimaging and gene targeting and the availability of specific receptor agonists and antagonists. Our aim here is to describe some interesting new findings that are likely to inform advances in treatment.