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The Biology of Alcoholism pp 85–106Cite as

Brain Centers of Reinforcement and the Effects of Alcohol

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This chapter will report briefly on findings that preceded the observation that brain stimulation could have positive reinforcement properties, and on the questions raised by this observation. We will report as well on further investigations carried out to learn more precisely the nature of this phenomenon. Finally, we will discuss the effects of ethanol and other drugs on the brain centers.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Medicine, University of Sherbrooke, Canada

    J. St.-Laurent (Associate Professor of Psychiatry)

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  1. J. St.-Laurent
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Department of Psychiatry, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York, USA

    Benjamin Kissin  & Henri Begleiter  & 

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© 1972 Plenum Press, New York

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St.-Laurent, J. (1972). Brain Centers of Reinforcement and the Effects of Alcohol. In: Kissin, B., Begleiter, H. (eds) The Biology of Alcoholism. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-0895-9_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-0895-9_4

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

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