Addiction Stages and Brain Circuitry

What brain structure is primarily associated with the reward pathway during the binge/intoxication stage of addiction?

During the withdrawal/negative affect stage, which brain structure is activated, leading to increased negative mood?

Which process is directly influenced by the formation of drug-cue associations leading to cravings?

What impaired cognitive function is a result of hypofrontality due to drug use during the preoccupation/anticipation stage?

Which brain structure is primarily responsible for forming habits associated with drug use?

Addiction Stages and Brain Circuitry

Binge/Intoxication Stage:
- The basal ganglia (striatum) and reward pathway are activated.
- Initial drug exposure triggers dopamine release in the reward pathway.
- Drug-cue associations form, leading to habit formation ("autopilot") in the basal ganglia.
- Dopamine release occurs in response to drug cues, not the drug itself.
- Reward deficiency may exist, where fewer D2 receptors lead to increased pleasure from stimulants.
Withdrawal/Negative Affect Stage:
- The limbic system (amygdala) and stress system (HPA axis) are involved.
- An "anti-reward" or "dark side" develops.
- The reward pathway becomes less responsive to rewards (even natural ones).
- Brain stress systems and amygdala activity increase negative mood.
Preoccupation/Anticipation Stage:
- The prefrontal cortex (PFC), stress system (HPA axis), basal ganglia, and insula are key.
- Executive function impairment occurs due to hypofrontality (reduced PFC activity) from drug use.
- The PFC becomes less responsive to natural rewards but more sensitive to drug cues, worsening cravings.
- The insula is sensitive to cravings (interoception).
- The stress system and basal ganglia "autopilot" remain active.
- Cravings arise from drug-cue associations triggering the "B process"

Explore the intricate stages of addiction and their impact on brain circuitry. This quiz delves into how the brain's reward pathways and stress systems are affected during binge/intoxication, withdrawal, and preoccupation stages. Test your knowledge on the neurological changes that occur at each stage of addiction.