ERC Advanced Grant · 2019
Convergence of positive and negative reinforcement in fentanyl addiction
F-Addict strives to unravel the neural circuits driving compulsion in fentanyl addiction. We ask the question how fentanyl causes fast transition from medical or recreational controlled drug use to compulsive consumption. About a third of opioid users eventually loose control, which increases the risk of death by overdose; a number that is even higher for fentanyl and definitely exceeds the transition observed with psychostimulants. The neural correlate of this difference remains elusive. We posit that repetitive withdrawal leads to strong negative reinforcement, which in conjunction with inherent positive reinforcement favors the transition to compulsion. F-Addict will uncover the synaptic…
From the public funding record at EU CORDIS. Describes the funded project, not the reviews below.