Genetics and Brain Imaging Together Shed Light on Smoking Cessation

Mon, 02 Dec 2013 19:00:00 -0500

A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying drug and alcohol addiction is necessary for the development of more effective treatments. Genetic factors may help explain why some people are more successful than others at shedding addictive behaviors. Sweitzer's research advances our understanding of how the brain shifts its valuation of reward as a result of nicotine deprivation, and how genetics influences that shift. The multi-disciplinary character of Sweitzer's work required extensive training which would not have been feasible without the support she received through the IGERT program. She will graduate in August 2013 and begin postdoctoral training, the next step toward what promises to be a productive scientific career.