Compulsive aspects in animal models of addiction and their underlying neurobiological mechanisms

Abstract

Addiction is devastating disease affecting the lives of millions of people worldwide. As there is a need for more pharmacological therapies targeting the core aspects of addiction, research should focus on the severe compulsive aspects of addiction. Here, an overview is given on the existing animal models of addiction and the compulsive aspects in particular which can be modeled by punishment and aversive- resistant behavior during self-administration. Further, this review discusses the neurobiological mechanisms underlying these compulsive behaviors, revealing the prefrontal cortex regions as key structures in the development of compulsive drug use.