The Neuroscience Behind Addiction

Course Description: 

This course will investigate substance use disorder as a neuropsychological disorder and focus on alcohol and nicotine dependence in depth. We will define important terms for the addiction cycle such as reward, dependence, and withdrawal. We will learn the anatomy and physiology of the brain circuits involved in reward processing and drug dependence, and the neurotransmitter systems involved. We will also discuss the social dimensions of alcohol and tobacco consumption and their involvement in developing an addiction. At the end of this course, you will become familiar with the diagnostic criteria for substance dependence and the biological and social factors that play in the development and maintenance of this disorder. 

Course Goals:

Understand the diagnostic criteria for Substance Use Disorder as a chronically relapsing brain disorder

Understand the brain mechanisms that are involved in addiction to alcohol and nicotine

Examine the psychosocial factors that contribute to addiction

Course Outline with Details

Lecture 1: Introduction to Substance Use Disorder

(DSM-5 diagnosis of SUD, defining important terms: impulsivity, compulsivity, addiction cycle, homeostasis, reward)

Lecture 2: The Reward Circuits in the Brain & Addiction

(Dopamine circuits, the role of VTA and nucleus accumbens, Associative Learning, how to measure DA in the brain, defining terms: tolerance, sensitization, withdrawal)

Lecture 3: Introduction to Alcohol Use Disorder

(DSM-5 definition and criteria, Binge Drinking, BAC, Alcohol Metabolism, science behind Hangover, Alcohol Withdrawal, Delirium Tremens, Treatments of AUD)

Lecture 4: Alcohol’s Effects on the Brain

(Alcohol’s acute and chronic effects on the brain: GABA receptors, Glutamate Receptors, Opioid Receptors)

Lecture 5: Introduction to Nicotine Dependence

(DSM-5 diagnosis, Nicotine addiction, role of the Cholinergic System, Reward of Nicotine, Acute and Chronic Effects of nicotine on the brain)

Lecture 6: Tobacco vs. E-cigarettes

(Withdrawal from Nicotine, Tobacco Dependence, Methods of Quitting, E-cigarettes: what is in e-cigs, is it better than traditional cigarettes?)