Competing neurobehavioral decision systems theory of cocaine addiction: From mechanisms to therapeutic opportunities

Cocaine dependence is a difficult-to-treat, chronically relapsing disorder. Multiple scientific disciplines provide distinct perspectives on this disorder; however, connections between disciplines are rare. The competing neurobehavioral decision systems (CNDS) theory posits that choice results from...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inProgress in brain research Vol. 223; pp. 269 - 293
Main Authors Bickel, Warren K, Snider, Sarah E, Quisenberry, Amanda J, Stein, Jeffrey S, Hanlon, Colleen A
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Netherlands 01.01.2016
Subjects
Animals
Behavior, Addictive - physiopathology
Behavior, Addictive - psychology
Choice Behavior - physiology
Cocaine - pharmacology
Cocaine-Related Disorders - drug therapy
Cocaine-Related Disorders - physiopathology
Cocaine-Related Disorders - psychology
Humans
Social Behavior
Systems Theory
Cocaine dependence
Executive function
Impulsivity
Self-control
Transcranial magnetic stimulation
Competing neurobehavioral decision systems
Delay discounting
Dual systems
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:Cocaine dependence is a difficult-to-treat, chronically relapsing disorder. Multiple scientific disciplines provide distinct perspectives on this disorder; however, connections between disciplines are rare. The competing neurobehavioral decision systems (CNDS) theory posits that choice results from the interaction between two decision systems (impulsive and executive) and that regulatory imbalance between systems can induce pathology, including addiction. Using this view, we integrate a diverse set of observations on cocaine dependence, including bias for immediacy, neural activity and structure, developmental time course, behavioral comorbidities, and the relationship between cocaine dependence and socioeconomic status. From the CNDS perspective, we discuss established and emerging behavioral, pharmacological, and neurological treatments and identify possible targets for future treatments. The ability of the CNDS theory to integrate diverse findings highlights its utility for understanding cocaine dependence and supports that dysregulation between the decision systems contributes to addiction.
ISSN:0079-6123
1875-7855
DOI:10.1016/bs.pbr.2015.07.009