We propose that in individuals with drug addiction, PFC activity in response to non-drug related rewards is opposite to PFC activity changes that characterize drug-related processing (FIG. 3). Specifically, in addicted individuals who are in a state of craving, intoxication, withdrawal or early abstinence, sensitivity of the PFC to non-drug related rewards will be markedly attenuated compared with that in healthy non-addicted subjects. Indeed, decreased sensitivity to non-drug related rewards is a challenge in the therapeutic rehabilitation of patients with substance use disorders. Therefore, it is important to study how drug-addicted individuals respond to non-drug related reinforcers.
