Human Neurobiological Approaches to Hedonically Motivated Behaviors
Kyle S. Burger, Grace E. Shearrer, Jennifer R. Sadler
Abstract
Neuroimaging techniques have rapidly expanded our understanding of how the brain responds to addiction in humans. This chapter will discuss methods used to assess brain response, how the data is analyzed, and how it can be used to better understand addiction. Foundational to inferences drawn from these methods is study design. Common designs employed in human neuroimaging research are discussed, including cross-sectional designs, longitudinal/cohort designs, and experimental designs. A description of various neuroimaging methods and their strengths and weaknesses is included: functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), positron-emission tomography, electroencephalogram, magnetoencephalography, structural MRI, and resting state fMRI. Given its popularity in research, discussion of MRI includes details on paradigm design and data analysis of functional and structural MRI, as well as some common oversights in data processing and interpretation of results.