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    University of Kentucky >> MRISC >> Jane Joseph Lab >> Research >>Drug Abuse

RESEARCH

Neurobiology of risk factors for drug abuse

 

Do individuals who are more at risk for drug abuse show different brain activation patterns for cognitive and emotional processing?

Individuals classified as high sensation seekers are more at risk for drug abuse than are low sensation seekers. This may be due to greater sensitivity to rewarding experiences or stronger impulsive behaviors and decisions. Ina n fMRI study of high and low sensation seekers, we found that high sensation seekers showed stronger activation in a brain region called the insula when viewing emotionally arousing pictures. This same brain region h been reported by other researchers to play a roll in addictive cravings, like the urge to smoke. when the insula is damaged in humans (typically through stroke) individuals lose their urge to smoke. Consequently, this brain region may play a role in initial drug use or in the cravings associated with ongoing drug addiction.

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