His research considers the genetic, epigenetic and cellular bases of substance abuse.

After graduating high school, Cadet moved to New York City in 1970, where he joined Columbia University to complete a degree in medicine.

[4] He has shown that the molecular networks within the brain are impacted by the acute administration of addictive substances.

[5] He has studied self-administration of methamphetamine,[6] and shown that in striatal dopaminergic systems it is accompanied with markers of toxicity.

[3] This indicates that dopamine activates neurodegenerative processes within the brain, via the upregulation of neurotrophic factors and downregulation of glutamatergic systems.