Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Addiction Research

This chapter provides an overview of the application of functional magnetic resonance imaging (FMRI) to addiction research. FMRI offers addiction researchers the opportunity to objectively assess neural signatures of subjective states, such as craving, withdrawal, effort, and associated emotional states. The chapter reviews the conceptual basis and empirical findings from applications of FMRI in addiction research. Conceptual basis for applying FMRI methodologies to understand drug addiction is twofold. First, it permits neurocognitive characterization of processes that are known to be implicated in addictive behavior. Second, innovations in FMRI permit characterization of novel and unobservable brain characteristics that are relevant to addiction. Then, toward informing future FMRI research, the chapter provides a critical overview of FMRI methodology, from study and paradigm design to data analysis. Finally, as the FMRI methods reflect a work‐in‐progress, it concludes by discussing challenges and future directions.