Exam 2 Study QuestionsDrugs and Behavior1. What is the reward pathway? What is the major neurotransmitter in this pathway? How is this pathway related to drugs of abuse?- central role of the reward pathway: to make us feel good when we engage in be-havior necessary for our survival- our “appetites” (hunger, thirst, sexual activity) all trigger the reward pathway- triggers dopamine that you’re satisfied- interpersonal relationships, religion, art, music beauty, drugs can all activate this pathway- ventral tegmental area (release huge amounts of dopamine) → nucleus accumbens(pleasure center) → prefrontal cortex - biological influences: genetic predispositions; variations in NT systems- psychological influences: lacking sense of purpose, significant stress, psychologi-cal disorders such as depression- social-cultural influences: peer influences, cultural attitude toward drug use2. What happens to this pathway with repeated administration of an addictive drug?- addiction: continued drug use sharply reduces the number of dopamine receptors in the brain’s reward system → down regulation/shut down receptors → why people have tolerance- over time, dopamine receptors can reopen after time being sober3. What is tolerance? Withdrawal? Dependence?- addiction: compulsive drug craving and use despite bad consequences- tolerance: with repeated exposure, the drug’s effect lessens → you need bigger doses to get the same effect- withdrawal: absence of drug causes physical pain- dependence: compulsive psychological craving or need to obtain/use the drug4. What are agonists? What are antagonists?- agonists: activates receptors; increases the effects of NT activity- floods synapse with that NT → stays there for long period of time- antagonists: blocks receptor activity; decreases the effects of NT activity- decreases NT’s effectiveness; block receptor sites so NT can’t bind → prevents NT into synapse 5. How do anti-depressants such as Prozac work? LOOK AT CHART.- Prozac: inhibits the uptake of serotonin in the brain; antidepressant6. In general, be able to link each drug class (stimulants, depressants, opiates, etc.) with the neurotransmitter(s) they affect, and provide a general over-view of some of the systemic effects they produce including desirable and po-tentially harmful effects. - opiates: depress neural activity, relieve pain, produce feelings of euphoria - opium, morphine, heroin, methadone, prescription painkillers- all are agonists of endorphins and dopamine- depressants: reduce neural activity and slow body functions - alcohol, barbiturates, inhalants, tranquilizers - alcohol acts on GABA receptors (agonist)- releases endorphins (the buzz)- indirectly stimulates the release of dopamine - leads to: decreased inhibition, slowed neural processing, reduction of self-monitoring behaviors (don’t care what other people think of you), disruption of the processing of recent experiences into long-term memo-ries (hippocampus)- barbiturates: sedative/sleep-inducing drugs- anxiolytics: reduce anxiety- benzodiazepines (ex: Valium, Xanax)- sedatives/hypnotics- sleep meds (ex: Ambien, Rohypnol)- All depressants are GABA agonists, which increase postsynaptic potentials (stim-ulates GABA receptor)- stimulants: excite neural activity and speed body functions- caffeine, nicotine, amphetamines, methamphetamine, cocaine - nicotine: travels to the brain in as little as 10 seconds after it has been absorbed into the bloodstream- activates nicotinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptors- indirectly activates dopamine- in higher concentrations, nicotine stimulates endorphin release- amphetamine and methamphetamine: - causes heightened energy and euphoria- triggers a release of dopamine- blocks norepinephrine reuptake- often leads to severe after-effects: irritability, insomnia, depression- ecstasy/molly/MDMA (type of methamphetamine):- synthetic stimulant that increases dopamine and serotonin- euphoria, CNS stimulation, hallucinations, articial feeling of social connected-ness and intimacy (via oxytocin release)- potential risks of ecstasy: dehydration, overheating, high blood pressure- disrupted sleep and circadian rhythm- damaged serotonin-producing neurons, causing permanently depressed mood- cocaine:- comes from the coca shrub of South America- blocks the reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine - serotonin release causes mood elevation- 15-30 minutes later → crash of irritability and depression- psychedelics: - “reveals the mind”; distort perceptions, alter mood and thinking- marijuana, LSD, mescaline, psilocybin, DMT- act on serotonin receptors as an agonist- marijuana: - leaves and flower of hemp plant- active chemical in marijuana is THC- THC = cannabinoid- endogenous cannabinoids: 2-AG and anandamide- appetite stimulation, decreased pain sensitivity- partly responsible for our anti-stress reaction- wide array of effects: mild hallucinogen, mood alteration, hunger, relaxation, distortion of time, paranoiaFor example:7. What neurotransmitters are altered when we take prescription pain meds? - prescription pain killers: opiates- agonist of endorphin and dopamine8. What happens to our brain when we drink alcohol? What about other de-pressants?9. How does cocaine and methamphetamine alter neurotransmission?a. cocaine acts on neurons that release dopamine. When cocaine is present in the brain, it blocks re-uptake of dopamine → lots of dopamine in the synapse. This excess dopamine will continue to bind to receptors and stimulate the postsynaptic neuron. 10. How do the hallucinogens/psychedelics alter neurotransmission? 11. How MDMA alters neurotransmission and hormone activation? Potential risks?12. What are the endogenous cannabinoids and what behaviors are they associ-ated with? - endogenous cannabinoids: 2-AG and anandamide- appetite stimulation and decreased pain sensitivity- partly responsible for our anti-stress reaction13. The risk of combining certain drugs?- cocaethylene: mixing cocaine (stimulant) and alcohol (depressant) to drink more- liver works double time to break down alcohol AND cocaine, forms cocaethy-lene- increases blood pressure, makes blood vessels tighter, heart beats 3x faster, higher chance for heart attacksNeuroscience1. Name the divisions of the nervous system and the functions associated with each.- Central Nervous System - brain- spinal cord- Peripheral Nervous System- somatic (voluntary movement)- autonomic (automatic; involuntary movement)-
View Full Document
Unlocking...