Integrating Addiction into the Neuroscience Curriculum.

Addiction is a relevant and fascinating topic that can be readily taught within undergraduate neuroscience curricula. Modern research has afforded tremendous insights into the neuroscience of addictions, including substance use disorders, behavioral addictions, and disorders of impulse control and compulsivity. Building on the neuroscience of plasticity associated with learning and memory, we now understand a great deal about the temporal and spatial progression of these disorders in adult and developing brains. Addictions have considerable health and social consequences to modern society, particularly with legalization of marijuana, the increasing popularity of numerous gambling/gaming venues, and the surge of methamphetamine and opioid abuse. To guide healthy medical practices and help inform policy makers, there is an increasing need for neuroscientists informed on addiction topics. Undergraduate education for students with an interest in the neurosciences is an excellent venue to achieve this goal. Key to this education is what modern neuroscience informs us on addiction processes and making these concepts relevant to the undergraduate student. Toward that end, this editorial will illustrate how addiction neuroscience can be integrated into ongoing curricula at the undergraduate level.