Molecular neuroscience and genetics

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the acute and chronic effects following exposure to cocaine, one of the most highly reinforcing and addictive drugs commonly used in developed societies. While drugs of abuse have diverse pharmacological profiles, their acute actions converge primarily on the mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic system. The prefrontal cortex coordinates cognitive processes and actions aimed at an internal goal, while the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) is believed to integrate information, synthesize the appropriate response, and control the motivational value of stimuli and reward reinforcement. To date, one of the best understood neuroadaptations to take place after exposure to psychostimulants ..