Imaging the Neurochemistry of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Diana Martinez, MD a, *, Jong-Hoon Kim, MD a , John Krystal, MD b , Anissa Abi-Dargham, MD a,c Positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) use radiotracers to image molecular targets in the human brain. These techniques have been applied over the last decade to study addiction and provide an important body of knowledge about the neuro- chemical alterations associated with drug and alcohol dependence. Although the techniques of PET and SPECT molecular imaging have been reviewed elsewhere, we briefly overview the concepts that are needed to interpret these studies. The PET radiotracers most frequently used in substance abuse research are those that label the dopamine type 2/3 (D 2/3 ) receptors of the striatum, such as the antagonists 18 F-N-methylspiroperidol (labeled with a posi- tron-emitting fluorine) and 11 C-raclopride (labeled with a positron emitting carbon). Other radio- tracers that are available include those that label the dopamine transporter, serotonin transporter NEUROIMAGING CLINICS OF NORTH AMERICA Neuroimag Clin N Am 17 (2007) 539–555 a Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Drive, Box #31, New York, NY 10032, USA b Yale University School of Medicine, VA Connecticut Healthcare System (116-A), 950 Campbell Avenue, West Haven, CT 06516, USA c Department of Radiology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Drive, Box #31, New York, NY 10032, USA * Corresponding author. E-mail address: dm437@columbia.edu (D. Martinez). - Cocaine dependence Dopamine D 2/3 receptors and dopamine transmission Functional significance of low D 2/3 receptor binding in cocaine dependence Behavior and dopamine transmission Imaging cue-induced craving in cocaine dependence Cocaine dependence and the dopamine transporter Imaging studies of cocaine dependence and other neurotransmitters - Alcohol dependence Dopamine D 2/3 receptor and alcohol dependence Behavioral correlates of low D 2/3 receptor binding potential Alcohol dependence and presynaptic dopamine Alcohol dependence and the dopamine transporter Serotonin and alcohol dependence Measures of GABA in alcohol dependence Opioids and alcohol dependence - Heroin dependence - Methamphetamine abuse - Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (Ecstasy) abuse - Hallucinogens - Summary - References 539 1052-5149/07/$ – see front matter. Published by Elsevier Inc. doi:10.1016/j.nic.2007.07.004 neuroimaging.theclinics.com