CSHL Neuroscience of Addiction Course (2024-2027)

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Lecture Course NEUROSCIENCE OF ADDICTION (2024-2027) Abstract Drug addiction is among the most prevalent and costly neuropsychiatric disorders faced by our nation. Acute and repeated exposure to drugs produces neuroadaptation and long-term memories of the experience, but the circuitry, cellular and molecular adaptations underlying it are only partially understood. There is a need for increased research in this area that bridges basic and clinical perspectives. The primary objective of the proposed lecture-and-discussion course is to provide an intensive discussion of the fundamentals, state-of-the- art advances and major gaps in the neurobiology of drug addiction. Targeted to both new and experienced investigators, the course will combine formal presentations and informal discussions to convey the merits and excitement of behavioral, circuitry, cellular and molecular approaches to drug addiction research both at the preclinical and clinical levels. A range of disciplines and topics will be represented, including noninvasive brain imaging to identify drug targets and adaptive processes; neuroadaptive processes at the molecular and cellular level, neural circuits/networks and their modulation, the relevance of genotype and genotype/environmental interactions to susceptibility and drug response; tolerance and adaptation at the cellular level and approaches to exploiting the daunting volume generated by neuroinformatics. The course will provide an integrated view of current and novel research on neuroadaptive responses to addictive drugs. The course will foster discussion on career development, ethical considerations, collaboration, and integration, as well as provide critical information needed to construct models of addiction as a disease and identify novel targets for treatments. Beyond the plane of scientific endeavor, the information is vital for formulating public policy and for enlightening the public on the neurobiological consequences of drug use and addiction. The course is designed to generate awareness and interest in multiple levels of analysis, open conduits for collaborations and present novel routes to investigating the neurobiology of addictive drugs. The course makes every effort to include a diverse group of participants, being particularly mindful of the inclusion of women, US minorities and a good balance of national and international scientists. The course has an excellent track record of training and retaining young scientists in neurobiological and specifically in addiction research. Finally, CSHL has developed mechanisms for dissemination of the scientific presentations to a broader audience through the use of open access video archives of the lectures available on Youtube and similar sites.