Brain mechanisms of addictive behaviour

External Event - 27th May 2021

Time - 18:30 - 19:30 BST

The Croonian Lecture 2021 delivered by Professor Barry Everitt FMedSci FRS.

The use and abuse of psychoactive substances, including cocaine, heroin, alcohol, cannabis and tobacco (nicotine) have been an enduring feature of human societies. In the UK alone, ‘the total cost to society of illegal drugs is around £20 billion per year, but only £600 million is spent on treatment and prevention’.

There are now many studies of addiction in human populations, including sophisticated imaging studies that have provided rich information about the structure, metabolic activity and neurochemical status of the brains of individuals with a drug addiction. However, such investigations do not easily allow us to understand the progression from initial, recreational use of addictive drugs through abuse to the addicted state when behaviour directed at obtaining and using drugs becomes compulsive.

This lecture will review some of Professor Everitt and his group’s research on the behavioural neuroscience of addiction in experimental animals that seeks to understand the neural and psychological mechanisms of addictive behaviour, including the nature of vulnerability as well as the possibility of developing new treatments.

Attending this event

• This lecture will be broadcast live on Zoom Webinar on 27 May 2021 at 6.30pm BST. The event will be recorded (including the live Q&A) and the recording will be available on YouTube soon after the event
• The event is free to join. Advance registration required
• Live subtitles will be available

The Award

The Croonian Medal and Lecture has been awarded since 1738 and is the premier lecture in the biological sciences. 

Professor Barry Everitt FMedSci FRS will be awarded the Croonian Medal and Lecture 2021 for elucidating brain mechanisms of motivation and applying them to important societal issues such as drug addiction.

Enquiries: contact the Events team

Click here to register.