Researchers report that in a methamphetamine self-administration experiment, rats showed changes in the balance between "go" and "stop" brain circuits; after a foot shock, behavior in the addictive subgroup was strongly correlated with change in the balance between "go" and "stop" circuits, and the balance returned toward normal in rats that reduced drug use after use was paired with foot shock, suggesting that noninvasive brain stimulation targeting "go" and "stop" circuits may help control compulsive drug use in humans.
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Article #18-19978: "Compulsive drug use is associated with imbalance of orbitofrontal- and prelimbic-striatal circuits in punishment-resistant individuals," by Yuzheng Hu et al.
MEDIA CONTACT: Yihong Yang, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, MD; tel: 443-740-2648, 240-361-7120; e-mail: < yihongyang@intra.nida.nih.gov >
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences