The authors explore the possible role of basal ganglia/limbic striatal
and thalamocortical circuits in craving and loss of control in alcohol
abuse and dependence. Alcoholics may suffer from a defect in the neuronal
systems within basal ganglia/limbic striatal and thalamocortical neuronal
circuits, especially within the striatoaccumbal-ventral pallidal portion of
this circuit or its dopaminergic nigrotegmental modulation. Alcoholic
craving may result from a neurophysiologically driven obsession resulting
from overactivity within the fronto-thalamic neuronal loop, and loss of
control of alcohol consumption may be a neurophysiologically driven
compulsion resulting from further impairment of the basal ganglia/limbic
striatal portion of this circuit caused by the acute dopaminergic effects
of intoxication.
Abstract Teaser