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Similarities and Differences in Neurobiology
Shiqiu Meng1, Yan Zhang1,2, Nicholas J Beacher2
1National Institute on Drug Dependence, and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China.
Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|October 31, 2025
Summary
Substance and non-substance addictions share overlapping brain circuitry and neurotransmitter systems. This review examines the distinct and shared neurobiological features of these compulsive behaviors.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Addiction Research
Background:
- Substance addiction is a chronic brain disease involving compulsive drug use.
- Non-substance addiction involves compulsive engagement in rewarding non-drug activities.
- Both addiction types share potential biological, epidemiological, clinical, and genetic features.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review overlapping and distinct neurotransmitter systems in substance and non-substance addictions.
- To explore the neurobiological underpinnings of addictive behaviors.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on substance and non-substance addictions.
- Analysis of neurobiological data, including brain circuitry and neurotransmitter systems.
Main Results:
- Both addiction types involve shared brain circuitry and neurotransmitter systems (dopamine, serotonin, opioid, glutamate, norepinephrine).
- Specific contributions of these systems to each addiction type are still under investigation.
Conclusions:
- Understanding shared and distinct neurobiological pathways is crucial for developing effective addiction treatments.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the precise roles of neurotransmitter systems in different addiction types.
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