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The cerebellum in drug craving
Josep Moreno-Rius1, Marta Miquel1
1Psychobiology, Universitat Jaume I, Castellon de la Plana, Spain.
Drug and Alcohol Dependence
|March 5, 2017
Summary
This review explores the role of the cerebellum in addiction craving. It proposes a new hypothesis for how cerebellar function contributes to drug craving and relapse.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Addiction Research
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Craving, the urge to use drugs, is central to addiction and relapse.
- Traditional addiction circuitry involves prefrontal cortex, striatum, and limbic regions.
- The cerebellum, traditionally linked to motor control, is increasingly implicated in cognitive functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current understanding of addiction craving.
- To update on the neural basis of craving.
- To propose a novel hypothesis for the cerebellum's function in craving.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of craving studies.
- Analysis of functional neuroimaging data.
- Synthesis of evidence linking cerebellum to cognitive functions and craving.
Main Results:
- Functional neuroimaging studies show cerebellar activation during craving.
- The cerebellum has reciprocal connections with key areas in the craving circuitry.
- Evidence suggests the cerebellum's involvement in prediction, learning, and memory.
Conclusions:
- The cerebellum's role in craving episodes is currently unknown.
- This review hypothesizes the cerebellum's function in craving.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the cerebellum's precise contribution to addiction.
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