Avoiding relapse is a major goal for recovering individuals. One major challenge is avoidance of sensory stimuli associated with the drug and its rewarding effects. Stimulus-drug- association (SDA) may not only increase sensitivity to the paired stimulus (PS), but potentially also induce other, non-paired stimuli, to elicit drug craving. The goal of this research is to reveal the effects of SDA on the sensory landscape at the perceptual and neuronal levels. To this end, we will employ a robust model for SDA that was recently established in our lab. Using this model, we can now apply quantitative detection and discrimination tasks to assess the effects of SDA on sensory perception of PS and non-PS stimuli. Ultimately, we will test the implications of SDA on neuronal processing, with a focus on brain regions implicated in encoding stimulus valence. On a basic level, this research can provide novel mechanistic insights on the effects of drug association on sensory representations and relapse. On a clinical level, it could serve as a foundation for subsequent research on potential behavioral approaches to weaken the links between stimulus and craving, and thus to increase the chances of successful withdrawal.

supervisor: Yoram Ben Shaul