Nora Volkow: Insights into the function of our brains through the science of drugs and addiction

Dr. Nora D. Volkow is Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) at the National Institutes of Health, where she has served since 2003 as the first woman and first Hispanic person in this role. NIDA is the world's largest funder of scientific research on the health aspects of drug use and addiction. Dr. Volkow's groundbreaking work has been instrumental in demonstrating that substance use disorder is a brain disorder, revolutionizing our understanding of addiction. As a research psychiatrist and pioneer in the field of neuroimaging, Dr. Volkow transformed the use of brain imaging to investigate how substance use affects brain functions. In particular, her studies have documented how changes in the dopamine system affect the functions of brain regions involved with reward and self-control in addiction, leading to fundamental shifts in how addiction is viewed and treated. She has also contributed to understanding the neurobiology of obesity, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and aging. In this Genomic Press Interview, Dr. Volkow shares insights into her remarkable journey from a medical student in Mexico to becoming one of the most influential figures in addiction research while discussing her perspectives on the current challenges in addressing substance use disorders, including the ongoing opioid crisis.