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Links & Resources

Addiction and the Brain

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation
General explanation of how our brains are wired for addiction

Public Broadcasting Service
Discussion of addiction as a brain disease

Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives
How alcohol affects the brain

Prentice Hall
Detailed explanation of the psychology and physiology of drug addiction

Brain Briefings by the Society for Neuroscience about drugs and related topics

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Neurotransmitters and the Synapse

Multimedia Neuroscience Education Project
Detailed information about how neurotransmitters are synthesized, released, received and inactivated

Animations showing events at the synapse:
McGraw-Hill
Blackwell

Dopamine--The biochemistry and functions of dopamine:
Wikipedia
Worldofmolecules

Serotonin--The biochemistry and functions of serotonin:
Wikipedia
Worldofmolecules

Other neurotransmitters: University of Texas

Overview of the synapse and where different drugs act: University of Texas

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Social and Economic Implications of Addiction

National Mental Health Association facts about drug abuse and addiction

National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2004) detailed report

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General Science Background

Cell Biology Basics
"Inside the Cell" reference text by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences

Genetics Basics
Reference text on genetics from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences

The Brain and Nervous System
A 52-page primer on the brain and nervous system by the Society for Neuroscience

Additional Public Resources from the Society for Neuroscience

Neurobiology animations (archive from various sources)

Neuroscience for Kids from the University of Washington