22 January 2001
Chair for addiction expert
David Balfour of the psychiatry department at the University of Dundee
has been awarded a personal chair in recognition of his research into
addiction and how the brain tells us that we are addicted to substances such as
nicotine, alcohol, or amphetamines.
Professor Balfour's groundbreaking research attempts to understand how
the body and mind become dependent upon drugs of abuse by identifying the
complex changes that occur in the brain when it is exposed to chronic or
repeated drug use.
Addiction to tobacco smoke remains the primary cause of preventable
disease and early death in Scotland. The health minister has identified the
treatment of tobacco addiction as a health priority for the NHS.
Professor Balfour said: "I am trying to understand the changes in the
brain and discover how to reverse them or manipulate them to relieve the
craving which persists for years after a smoker quits."
Nicotine is Balfour's main research focus but any discoveries could also
apply to other drug addictions such as cocaine and amphetamines.
Professor Balfour has been with the University of Dundee for over twenty
years. He was originally a biochemist but his interests have since
evolved into behavioural pharmacology. He is now a non-clinical member of staff
in the psychiatry department where he is spearheading pre-clinical research
into fatal addictions.
Contact Professor David Balfour 01382 632524