Neuopathophysiology of Addictive Substances – NAS
NOTE: Starts with the October 2026 Council round submission dates (Cycle I due dates). This study section was evaluated as part of CSR’s ENQUIRE process to align study sections with advances in science. Learn more about ENQUIRE.
The NAS Study Section reviews applications that use in vitro and animal models to investigate the pathophysiology and negative consequences of alcohol and other addictive substances. The emphasis is on an integrative biological systems understanding of the abnormalities throughout the lifespan using molecular, genetic, biochemical, cellular, electrophysiological, pharmacological, neuroanatomical, behavioral, and/or computational methods. NAS also reviews applications using human tissues when the emphasis is on molecular outcomes.
Review Dates
A roster for the panel will be posted here, at least 30 days prior to the review meeting
Topics
- Acute or chronic exposure to alcohol or other substances (e.g. opioids, nicotine, psychomotor stimulants) and associated epigenetic, molecular, cellular, synaptic, structural, and system-level adaptations.
- Neuropathophysiological effects of substance dependence and associated with symptoms of substance withdrawal and negative affect.
- Applications that do not include behavioral endpoints as the primary outcome measure can be reviewed here.
- Gene environment interaction: genetic factors responsible for increased vulnerability to substance use disorder.
- Interaction between stress and substance use: maladaptive responses to acute, chronic or developmental stress associated with increased substance use and relapse.
- Anatomical and behavioral effects of prenatal exposure of alcohol or other substances (e.g. opioids, nicotine, psychomotor stimulants) on the central nervous system, and associated phenotypes.
Shared Interests and Overlaps
Applications that are focused on the negative effects of alcohol or other drugs of abuse at the behavioral or molecular level are reviewed in NAS, whereas applications that are focused on the circuitry that underlies the motivational (positive or negative) aspects of substance abuse are reviewed in NBMB.
Applications with a primary focus on cellular or molecular mechanisms underlying the negative effects of drugs of abuse are reviewed in Molecular Cellular Neuropharmacology (MCNP), in particular when the aims are not focused on integrative biological systems.
Applications with a focus on behavioral mechanisms of substance abuse, such as discriminative and reinforcing effects of alcohol, social influences, and behavioral economic approaches may be reviewed by Biobehavioral Regulation, Learning and Ethology Study Section [BRLE].
Applications including drugs of abuse, but focused on neuroimmunology may be reviewed in Behavioral Neuroendocrinology, Neuroimmunology, Rhythms, and Sleep [BNRS].
Applications that emphasize the use of animal models and human tissue with an emphasis on the negative consequences of exposure to drugs of abuse throughout development and in adulthood, rather than motivational aspects of addiction are reviewed in NAS. Applications that emphasize etiology, pathophysiology, and treatment of addiction and are clinically-oriented are reviewed in Neural Basis of Psychopathology, Addictions, and Sleep Disorders (NPAS)
