The growing gap between biological and environmental evolution presents a unique opportunity for exploring the human brain, its strengths and vulnerabilities in an interactive and stimulating way. To really understand substance use disorders (and use that understanding to increase resiliency) we must first understand the brain, especially the evolutionary constraints that have shaped its fundamental structures and functions. This presentation builds on the growing neuroscientific understanding of human behavior to explain the intrinsic vulnerabilities that emerge from the interaction of biological and environmental substance use actors and the impact that drug abuse has on brain circuitry and behavior. It also will explore the rationale behind the development of evidence-based prevention and treatment approaches in addiction.  (3 CEUs)

Participant Learning Objectives:

• Have a greater understanding of the structure, function, & evolution of the human brain

• Understand the effects of addictive drugs: focus on the dopaminergic synapse and the neurophysiological changes that underlie substance use disorders

• Explain inter-individual differences in risk: the multifactorial phenomena behind the fact that not every person exposed to an addictive substance develops a substance use disorder

• Recognize leveraging the current understanding of the brain and the allure & effects of addictive drugs to develop effective prevention strategies and programs

• Describe the nature & role of various evidence-based interventions designed to alleviate and/or reverse the devastating impact of addictive drugs

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Featuring:

Dr. Ruben Baler, PhD, joined the Science Policy Branch in NIDA’s Office of Science Policy and Communications in October 2004 as a Health Science Administrator. He has gathered critical insight from diverse disciplines, which he combines to advance NIDA’s scientific mission as it intersects with cellular and molecular biology, genetics, immunology, bioinformatics, neuroscience, and neuroethics. Dr. Baler’s many contributions to other dissemination efforts include scientific writing, teaching, public speaking to lay audiences, and fielding interview requests. He received his PhD in Microbiology and Molecular Biology from the University of Miami.