Author(s):
Addiction is a complex disorder characterized by compulsive substance use or behavioral patterns despite negative consequences. This review explores the neurobiological perspectives of addiction, focusing on the underlying mechanisms that drive addictive behaviors and the implications for future research and treatment strategies. Key neurobiological pathways include the brain's reward system, prominently featuring the mesolimbic dopamine pathway, which plays a central role in reward processing and reinforcement learning [1-3]. Dysregulation of dopamine signaling, along with alterations in other neurotransmitter systems such as serotonin and glutamate, contributes to the development and maintenance of addictive behaviors. These neurobiological changes involve neuroadaptations in synaptic plasticity, gene expression, and structural connectivity within critical brain regions, including the prefrontal cortex and striatum. Recent advances in neuroimaging techniques, genetics, and molecular biology have provided valuable insights into the neurobiology of addiction. Imaging studies have identified specific neural correlates associated with addiction, highlighting structural and functional abnormalities that underlie compulsive behaviors. Genetic research has uncovered susceptibility genes and epigenetic modifications that influence individual vulnerability to addiction and response to treatment.
