Activation of Prefrontal Cortex and Anterior Thalamus in Alcoholic Subjects on Exposure to Alcohol-Specific Cues

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Abstract
SUBSTANCE-induced stimulation and craving are key features of developing and maintaining an addictive disorder. In those seeking treatment for an addiction, substance-related environmental stimuli and craving are clinically important because of their ability to trigger relapse.1 Animal models of addiction consistently implicate key brain structures, such as the septum, amygdala, nucleus accumbens, and other regions that are part of the anterior paralimbic system.2-5 Several recent functional imaging studies in cocaine addicts have shown that these structures as well as the prefrontal cortex are activated by cocaine stimuli.6,7 There has been little brain imaging work done to date using alcohol, a more commonly abused substance, but one with an even greater burden on public health.8