Neurochemical Substrates of Addiction Medicine

Neurochemical Substrates of Addiction Medicine offers an in-depth exploration of the complex interplay between neurochemistry and addiction, providing critical insights for researchers, clinicians, and students alike. This book is structured into four comprehensive sections, beginning with an examination of the distribution of neurotransmitters across key brain circuitry involved in addiction, such as the mesolimbic, striatal, frontal, insular, and thalamic systems. Each chapter meticulously describes how these circuits contribute to addictive behaviors and the underlying neurobiological mechanisms. The second section delves into the major neurotransmitter systems—including dopaminergic, glutamatergic, GABAergic, adrenergic, serotonergic, cholinergic, endogenous opioid, and purinergic systems—highlighting their roles in addiction. Following this, the book addresses the neuropharmacology of various drugs of abuse, including nicotine, opioids, alcohol, psychomotor stimulants, cannabinoids, psychedelics, sedative-hypnotics, caffeine, and antihistamines, detailing how these substances alter neurochemical pathways. The final section expands the discussion to behavioral addictions, exploring the neurochemical substrates associated with disorders such as pathological gambling, internet use, sexual addiction, and binge eating.