The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada (IMRIC)

This Tiny Brain Network Could Hold the Key to Beating Cocaine Addiction

Why do so many people relapse after quitting cocaine? A new study from The Hebrew University reveals that a specific “anti-reward” brain circuit becomes hyperactive during withdrawal—driving discomfort and pushing users back toward the drug. Surprisingly, this circuit may also serve as a built-in protective mechanism, offering new hope for addiction treatment.

Led by Prof. Yonatan M. Kupchik and PhD student Liran Levi from the Faculty of Medicine, the study identifies a specific “anti-reward” network deep in the brain that undergoes lasting changes during cocaine use, withdrawal, and re-exposure. This glutamatergic network, located in the ventral pallidum, is emerging as a key player in addiction—and a promising target for future therapies.

Prof. Kupchik's photo: Yoram Aschheim