Neuroimagen y drogodependencias

Abstract

Neuroimaging techniques which appeared in the seventies as neurological assessment instruments have contributed significantly to the progress of neuroscience in recent years, revealing the background of neurobiological misfunctioning, as well as the structures and circuitry that are involved in substance misuse disorders. Neuroimaging has also contributed to improving our knowledge on the neurobiological background of some aspects of addictive behaviors, such as tolerance, reinforcing effects, craving and the functional changes associated to the drug or medication administration, as well as during withdrawal of substances of abuse. Functional neuroimaging associated to behavior measurements or activation tests will help us in the future to clarify neuro-anatomy and the neuro-chemical changes associated to reinforcing effects of drug-induced craving, as well as cognitive, emotional, motivational and behavioral misfunctioning, related to a greater vulnerability to the development of substance use disorders, or to early relapse of patients in recovery. Future progress in neuroimaging can thereby contribute, to the development of new prevention or treatment interventions, which may improve the outcomes of the substance misuse treatment programs.