It has been identified that humans with addictions have under activated Default Mode Networks which significantly reduces their ability to connect with others because of excessive self-referential thoughts and negative projections of reality on to the external world. I would love to have seen a study of Wexler rats (genetically addicted ) or rats with attachment disorders would have fared in rat park? These two populations of rats would likely closely resemble what Ken Blum refers to as the reward deficiency syndrome in human genetic experiments.
I'ts unfortunate that Alexander's team lost their funding. As an addiction researcher, this really helped me bring a few big gaps in my understanding of addiction together. Thanks so much for your time to break this brilliant and important work down and making it so accessible.
