Drug addiction can be conceptualized at a basic level as maladaptive learning and memory. Addictive substances elicit changes in brain circuitry involved in reward, cognition, and emotional state, leading to the formation and persistence of strong drug-associated memories that lead to craving and relapse. Recently, perineuronal nets (PNNs), extracellular matrix (ECM) structures surrounding neurons, have emerged as regulators of learning, memory, and addiction behaviors. PNNs do not merely provide structural support to neurons but are dynamically remodeled in an experience-dependent manner by metalloproteinases. They function in various brain regions through constituent proteins such as brevican that are implicated in neural plasticity. Understanding the function of PNN components in memory processes may lead to new therapeutic approaches to treating addiction.

吸毒成瘾可以从根本上被概念化为适应不良的学习和记忆。上瘾的物质引起涉及奖励，认知和情绪状态的大脑回路变化，从而导致与药物相关的强烈记忆的形成和持续存在，从而导致渴望和复发。最近，神经元周围的神经周围神经网络（PNN），细胞外基质（ECM）结构已成为学习，记忆和成瘾行为的调节者。PNN不仅为神经元提供结构支持，而且还通过金属蛋白酶以经验依赖的方式进行动态重塑。它们通过涉及神经可塑性的组成蛋白（如brevican）在大脑的各个区域发挥作用。