Effects of chronic administration of drugs of abuse on impulsive choice (delay discounting) in animal models.

摘要: Drug-addicted individuals show high levels of impulsive choice, characterized by preference for small immediate over larger but delayed rewards. Although the causal relationship between chronic drug use and elevated choice in humans has been unclear, a growing body literature past decade shown that administration animal models can cause increases suggesting similar may exist human users. This article reviews this literature, with particular focus on effects cocaine administration, which have most thoroughly characterized. The potential mechanisms these are described terms drug-induced neural alterations ventral striatal prefrontal cortical brain systems. Some implications research pharmacological treatment discussed, along suggestions future area.