The effective treatment of drug addiction remains a major scientific challenge as researchers are yet to pinpoint the precise psychological and biological mechanisms that cause individuals to transition from controlled drug use to addiction, according to Prof. David Belin of the University of Cambridge, UK.
Prof. Belin was delivering the plenary lecture on the second day of the 43rd Annual Meeting of the Indian Academy of Neurosciences (IAN), hosted by the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (BRIC-RGCB) at Kovalam, near Thiruvananthapuram, on October 30, 2025. The four-day conference (October 29–November 1) brings together leading neuroscientists and domain experts from across India and abroad.
Understanding the Habitual Nature of Addiction
Speaking on the topic “The Multifaceted Nature of Compulsive Drug-Seeking Habits in Addiction: Insights from Preclinical Research,” Prof. Belin described drug addiction as a chronic brain disorder that claims millions of lives worldwide and devastates countless others while imposing billions of dollars in societal costs.
He noted that the United Kingdom currently has the highest number of young cocaine users in Europe, and the country’s illicit drug market is estimated to be worth £9.4 billion. Prof. Belin emphasized that no effective treatment for drug addiction currently exists because scientists still lack a clear understanding of why certain individuals are more vulnerable to developing addiction.
How the Brain Adapts During Drug Seeking
Prof. Belin explained that addiction arises from the development of maladaptive drug-seeking habits, which activate brain regions different from those initially responding to drug use. Over time, drug foraging—the complex set of behaviors involved in acquiring drugs—becomes habitual rather than goal-directed.
He added that drug-seeking itself can become a goal in its own right, often leading to relapse. “This opens promising new avenues for developing novel therapeutic strategies—not only for drug addiction but also for behavioral addictions,” he said.
Through a series of experiments in rats and humans, Prof. Belin demonstrated how drug use begins as a goal-directed behavior involving brain regions linked to motivation and reward, but gradually transitions into compulsive habits as addiction progresses.
Bilingualism and Brain Health in Dementia
Delivering the Prof. P. N. Tandon Oration, Ms. Suvarna Alladi from NIMHANS, Bengaluru, spoke on “Language and Culture: Implications for Cognitive Resilience and Dementia.” She emphasized that language, bilingualism, and brain research offer a strong framework for future scientific inquiry into dementia.
According to her, harmonizing research across neurobiology, clinical sciences, pharmacology, and socio-cultural disciplines in India can accelerate the development and implementation of novel preventive and therapeutic strategies for dementia.
Alcohol, Adolescence, and Memory
In a session titled “Adolescence, Alcohol and Memory,” held alongside the Prof. S. S. Parmar Oration, Ms. Ratna Sircar from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, USA, highlighted that adolescent alcohol-induced memory deficits are associated with structural, cellular, and molecular changes in specific brain regions.
Her findings underline the long-term neurological impact of early alcohol exposure and stress the need for awareness and preventive strategies targeting young populations.
A Global Platform for Neuroscience Research
As per the press release, the IAN Annual Meeting 2025 serves as a vibrant platform for interdisciplinary collaboration, featuring top scientists and experts sharing insights on cutting-edge neuroscience research, ranging from addiction and cognition to neurodegeneration and mental health.