Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 10, 2026
08:05
A Procedure to Study Stress-Induced Relapse of Heroin Seeking after Punishment-Imposed Abstinence
Published on: March 23, 2022
Addiction as a stress surfeit disorder.
George F Koob1, Cara L Buck, Ami Cohen
1Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, SP30-2400, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
Neuropharmacology
|June 11, 2013
Summary
Drug addiction involves brain stress systems, including corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and dynorphin-kappa opioid pathways. These systems contribute to negative emotional states driving compulsive drug seeking and relapse.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Addiction Research
- Psychopharmacology
Background:
- Drug addiction is a relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use.
- It progresses through binge/intoxication, withdrawal/negative affect, and preoccupation/anticipation stages.
- Motivation shifts from positive to negative reinforcement, driven by alleviating negative emotional states.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of brain stress systems in negative reinforcement and compulsive drug seeking.
- To explore the involvement of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and dynorphin-kappa opioid systems.
- To understand how these systems contribute to the development and persistence of addiction.
Main Methods:
- The study hypothesizes the involvement of neurochemical elements in the frontal cortex, ventral striatum, and extended amygdala.
- Focuses on the activation of CRF and dynorphin-kappa opioid systems during different stages of addiction.
- Examines the impact of excessive drug intake and withdrawal on these brain stress pathways.
Main Results:
- Excessive drug intake activates CRF in the extended amygdala and medial prefrontal cortex, leading to anxiety and executive dysfunction.
- The dynorphin-kappa opioid system is activated, decreasing dopamine and contributing to negative emotional states and compulsive drug seeking.
- Blocking the kappa opioid system reduces withdrawal symptoms and compulsive drug use.
Conclusions:
- Brain stress response systems are activated by drug intake, sensitized during withdrawal, and persist into abstinence.
- These systems provide a neurochemical basis for the negative emotional states central to addiction.
- Targeting these anti-reward pathways may offer novel therapeutic strategies for addiction treatment.
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