New study sheds light on cocaine addiction

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by Change | 21 May 2009

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Reward circuits in the brain are influenced by drug use over time, says study.

A new drug addiction study has shown a link between cocaine and the reward circuits in the brain.

It also explores how susceptible to addiction these mechanisms are.
The study which is published in the journal Biological Psychiatry followed ten non-addicted users of cocaine and another ten on a placebo.

Results showed that the level of dopamine secreted by participants was affected by the frequency of drug use.

Dopamine is known to be fundamental to the brain's response to reward. It also plays a critical part in the brain's response to addictive drugs.

Dr Leton on McGill University who worked on the study said that it is still unknown whether the repeated stimulation of the reward circuit leads to addiction.

He said that equally it could be that "an inherent sensitivity to addiction leads to the increased secretion of dopamine".
According to government statistics drug usage in the UK is at a ten year low.

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