NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY - ARE WE READY FOR A PARADIGM SHIFT

The ''paradigm shift'' in the title of this article refers to molecula r biology. The real challenge to molecular biologists interested in ap plying their methods to an understanding of psychiatric disorders invo lves the development of models that account for gene/environment/devel opment interaction. Because of the existence of homologous animal mode ls of addictive disorders, as well Its a rich body of clinical observa tions and clinical and behavioral research, and recent data suggesting that chronic exposure to addictive drugs results in changes in gene e xpression in neurons from behaviorally relevant brain regions, addicti ve disorders offer a serendipitous model (to molecular biologists) tha t may have relevance to subsequent application in other areas of psych iatry and psychology.