Dopamine 'ups and downs' in addiction revisited

Repeated drug use can change dopamine (DA) function in ways that promote the development and persistence of addiction, but in what direction? By one view, drug use blunts DA neurotransmission, producing a hypodopaminergic state that fosters further drug use to overcome a DA deficiency. Another view is that drug use enhances DA neurotransmission, producing a sensitized, hyperdopaminergic reaction to drugs and drug cues. According to this second view, continued drug use is motivated by sensitization of drug 'wanting'. Here we discuss recent evidence supporting the latter view, both from preclinical studies using intermittent cocaine self-administration procedures that mimic human patterns of use and from related human neuroimaging studies. These studies have implications for the modeling of addiction in the laboratory and for treatment.

Automated summary

Repeated drug use can alter dopamine function, leading to addiction. Two main viewpoints exist: one suggests that drug use decreases dopamine neurotransmission, while the other argues that it enhances it. Recent evidence supports the latter view, with implications for addiction modeling and treatment.