A translational framework for personalizing intervention models to prevent substance use disorder

Abstract

This introductory paper frames the Addiction Neuroscience Special Issue on “Neuroprevention for Substance Use” by describing a transdisciplinary neuroscience approach to understanding and intercepting developmental pathways to addiction. Our integrative model derives from biomedical research that provides clues as to the underlying mechanisms of effects of existing and novel evidenced-based preventive strategies. A supportive translational research infrastructure for a “community” of crosscutting scientists guides this work to inform the design of interventions that more directly target underlying generators of the phenomenon we aim to prevent; i.e., poor biobehavioral health leading to increased propensity to substance use initiation, escalation, and addiction. Advancing this approach to address the gaps in substance use prevention research involves identifying common ground and priorities, stimulating cross-disciplinary communication, sharing etiological findings, applying multilevel methodologies to analyzing integrated datasets, and determining ways in which collaborative investigations can lead to a better understanding of mechanisms of behavioral change. Resulting research findings will inform prevention, practice, and policy, resulting in economic and societal benefits through improved quality of life for youths, their families, and their communities.