An Alcohol Research Center in concept and practice: Interdisciplinary collaboration at the UConn ARC

The Center for Research on the Etiology and Treatment of Alcohol Dependence is dedicated to the systematic examination of the nature, development, and clinical management of alcohol use disorders. The Center is organized around an integrated network of three basic science laboratories (Neurobiology, Neurodynamics, and Psychophysiology) and one treatment evaluation laboratory that incorporates basic science methods and concepts into its program. This paper describes the organization, programs and mission of the Center. It also discusses the conditions under which interdisciplinary collaborative research is likely to flourish.