Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation (Aug 2023)
Updated Perspectives on the Neurobiology of Substance Use Disorders Using Neuroimaging
Abstract
Kevin S Murnane,1 Amber N Edinoff,2 Elyse M Cornett,3 Alan D Kaye3 1Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Neuroscience, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, USA; 2Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; 3Department of Anesthesiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, USACorrespondence: Kevin S Murnane, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, 1501 Kings Highway, Shreveport, LA, 71103, USA, Email [email protected]: Substance use problems impair social functioning, academic achievement, and employability. Psychological, biological, social, and environmental factors can contribute to substance use disorders. In recent years, neuroimaging breakthroughs have helped elucidate the mechanisms of substance misuse and its effects on the brain. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) are all examples. Neuroimaging studies suggest substance misuse affects executive function, reward, memory, and stress systems. Recent neuroimaging research attempts have provided clinicians with improved tools to diagnose patients who misuse substances, comprehend the complicated neuroanatomy and neurobiology involved, and devise individually tailored and monitorable treatment regimens for individuals with substance use disorders. This review describes the most recent developments in drug misuse neuroimaging, including the neurobiology of substance use disorders, neuroimaging, and substance use disorders, established neuroimaging techniques, recent developments with established neuroimaging techniques and substance use disorders, and emerging clinical neuroimaging technology.Keywords: MRI, neurobiology, substance misuse, addiction, neuroimaging, AI, PET, fMRI, SPECT
