Emergent pharmacology of conscious experience: new perspectives in substance addiction.
Jean-Pierre Changeux, Hans C Lou
The FASEB Journal July 1, 2011 DOI: 10.1096/fj.11-0702ufm (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Addiction |
| Keywords | Brain Nerve net Neurons Animals Humans Substance-related disorders Gamma-aminobutyric acid Gaba modulators Consciousness Models, neurological |
| Key findings | The authors propose that self-awareness is chemically regulated through paralimbic gamma synchrony controlled by GABA interneurons, acetylcholine, and dopamine, and that a long-term deficit in self-control of drug intake may lesion this circuitry, aggravating substance abuse and driving addiction in a vicious circle. |
Abstract
We here review experimental findings relevant for the pharmacology of conscious experience, an issue largely neglected in pharmacological research. First, we focus on self-awareness, a pivotal component of conscious experience and its integration within the global neuronal network (GNW), a theoretical concept that unifies convergent approaches on the neural bases of conscious processing. We report recent evidence to show that self-awareness mobilizes a paralimbic circuitry of γ synchrony, and that such synchrony is, in particular, regulated by GABA interneurons under the control of acetylcholine and dopamine. Recent data illustrate that these neurotransmitters establish a causal relationship with the control of self-awareness. The hypothesis is presented that not only is self-awareness chemically regulated, but the reverse may be true. Long-term deficit in self-control of drug intake would result in compulsive substance use, accompanied, in particular, with lesions of the paralimbic circuitry of self-awareness, leading to aggravation of substance abuse, resulting in addiction in a vicious circle. Finally, we propose that the emergent pharmacology of conscious experience may provide new perspectives, not only in substance addiction but also in the many other pathological conditions with deficient self-awareness.
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| Classic psychedelics: An integrative review of epidemiology, therapeutics, mystical experience, and brain network function. General population | 2019 | Integrative review | |
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| Psychedelics as anti-inflammatory agents Animal models and cellular studies | 2018 | Review | |
| A narrative review of yoga and mindfulness as complementary therapies for addiction. | 2013 | Review | |
| The neuropsychopharmacology of cannabis: A review of human imaging studies | 2018 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 6
- Yoga Lessons for Consciousness Research: A Paralimbic Network Balancing Brain Resource Allocation Frontiers in Psychology 2011
- Brain Networks, Neurotransmitters and Psychedelics: Towards a Neurochemistry of Self-Awareness. Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports August 1, 2024
- Is artificial consciousness achievable? Lessons from the human brain. Neural Networks December 1, 2024
- Evolution of the Parietal Lobe in the Formation of an Enhanced “Sense of Self” Journal of Cognition and Culture April 1, 2024
- The relationship between semantic access and introspective awareness. Brain and Cognition June 2018
and 1 more in the library
Cites 11
- Dopaminergic stimulation enhances confidence and accuracy in seeing rapidly presented words Journal of Vision February 23, 2011
- Experimental and theoretical approaches to conscious processing. Neuron April 28, 2011
- Expectations change the signatures and timing of electrophysiological correlates of perceptual awareness. Journal of Neuroscience January 26, 2011
- Coherence in consciousness: paralimbic gamma synchrony of self-reference links conscious experiences. Human Brain Mapping February 1, 2010
- Converging intracranial markers of conscious access. PLoS Biology March 1, 2009
and 6 more in the library