David Matthew Lipton's research while affiliated with Hebrew University of Jerusalem and other places

... The fact that only a subset of METH users meets criteria for MUD [2][3][4], suggests the presence of differences in the molecular substrates in the reward circuitries that control the development of MUD in various individuals. A brain region of special interest is the dorsal striatum, which serves as a key regulator of habit forming [17] and participates in the development and progression of compulsive drug taking in models of substance use disorders (SUDs) [18][19][20][21][22][23]. The dorsal striatum might also serve as a node in neuronal pathways involved in the tenacity of misuse of licit and illicit substances despite nefarious consequences associated with their abuse [24]. ...