BIOL 4340 The Addicted Brain

This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of the alterations in brain structure and chemistry as a result of different types of addiction. The course will cover the brain mechanisms underlying motivated behaviors and the dysfunction that can lead to addictive behaviors. Addiction will be studied at different levels from how drugs affect neurons to how drugs impact society. Much of the course relates the important mood-elevating effects of drugs to their biological actions. The course will also look into addictive behaviors that do not appear to have a pharmacological underpinning, such as internet addictions and gambling. Prerequisite: BIOL 3310 and BIOL 3110.

Credits

3

Distribution

Sciences