How Addictions Affect the Brain

Unit 3 Assignment Name: What topic did you choose? How Addictions Affect the BrainHow Addictions Affect the Brain Please use the information from the full text of the three articles you found to complete the table below. Be sure to fill out the table using your own words. You must paraphrase the information. Do not plagiarize. Research Articles Article 1 APA Reference of Article: McClernon, F. J. (2009). Neuroimaging of nicotine dependence: Key findings and application to the study of smoking–mental illness co-morbidity. Journal of Dual Diagnosis, 5(2), 168–178. https://doi.org/10.1080/15504260902869204 What is the research question or hypothesis? Research Question: The article examines the neuroanatomical and neurofunctional correlates of nicotine dependency and treatment strategies using contemporary neuroimaging techniques, with a focus on the co-morbidity of smoking and mental illness. What are the neuroimaging technique(s) used? Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) What are the main findings or information of the article? Modern neuroimaging methods, including MRI, PET, and fMRI, have given researchers critical new insights into nicotine dependency and its effects on the brain, according to McClernon's (2009) research. Compared to nonsmokers, smokers have higher concentrations of nicotinic receptors and decreased grey matter density in frontal brain areas. Smoking modifies nicotinic receptor binding and releases dopamine in reward regions of the brain. Quitting smoking causes disruptions to cognitive processes such as concentration and increased brain response to stimuli connected to smoking. Research on smoking and mental illness, especially schizophrenia, indicates that smokers with these diseases have distinct brain profiles. Why did you choose this source? Discuss how it contributed to your understanding, and how it addressed information gaps or provided unique insights. The article was selected because it offers a thorough summary of the ways in which different neuroimaging methods can be applied to investigate the consequences of nicotine addiction on the brain, especially when mental illness co-morbidity is involved. This article advances knowledge on the subject of "How Addictions Affect the Brain" by describing the precise brain alterations and mechanisms connected to nicotine addiction and cessation. It also fills in knowledge gaps in co-occurring mental diseases and smoking-related disorders. Critically evaluate the strengths and limitations of the neuroimaging techniques employed in the article. Assess whether the techniques have limitations in studying certain brain regions or functions, as some methods are better suited for specific types of research questions. What are the strengths and risks/weaknesses of the imaging tool? The article's critical assessment of neuroimaging methods identifies the advantages and disadvantages of different modalities.  MRI and fMRI provide precise measurements of brain blood flow. However, they are limited in their capacity to provide real-time insights into brain function and high spatial resolution. PET and SPECT are excellent methods for examining the in vivo activity of substances that are relevant to research on addiction; however, they require radioactive tracers, which can be hazardous to one's health and have a lesser spatial resolution than MRI. How did the information from this source provide concepts that could be beneficial in your future profession? The information from this source can be beneficial in a future profession by providing a deeper understanding of the neurobiological underpinnings of nicotine dependence and its effects on mental health. This knowledge can inform the development of more effective treatments for addiction, particularly in patients with co-morbid mental illnesses. Understanding the strengths and limitations of various neuroimaging techniques will also help design and interpret research studies in clinical settings. Article 2 APA Reference of Article Wilson, S. J., & Sayette, M. A. (2014). Neuroimaging craving: urge intensity matters. Addiction, 110(2), 195–203. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.12676 What is the research question or hypothesis? Hypothesis: Nicotine-deprived smokers, compared to non-deprived smokers, exhibit greater activation in the rostral anterior cingulate cortex (rACC) and adjacent medial/ventromedial prefrontal cortex (PFC) regions when exposed to smoking cues. What are the neuroimaging technique(s) used? Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) What are the main findings or information of the article? According to Wilson and Sayette's (2014) research, craving should be conceptualized as an intense and overpowering desire to use drugs, which is clinically significant and distinct from mild desire states. The study reveals that many neuroimaging studies inadvertently mitigate the intensity of cravings by including participants in non-deprived states, thereby limiting the generalizability of findings across different crav...