12.2.3 Attack And Escape Behaviours 4 Flashcards
A variety of studies indicate that anxiety is increased by the transmitters orexin and CCK (____) in the amygdala or hippocampus.
cholecystokinin
However, many drugs are available to increase activity of the transmitter ____, which inhibits anxiety.
GABA
The most common anti-anxiety drugs (anxiolytic drugs) are the ____, such as diazepam (Valium), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), and alprazolam (Xanax).
benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines bind to the ____ ____, which includes a site that binds GABA as well as sites that modify the sensitivity of the GABA site.
GABAa receptor
At the centre of the GABAa receptor is a ____ ____. When opened, it permits chloride ions to cross the membrane into the neuron, hyperpolarising the cell. (That is, the synapse is inhibitory)
chloride channel
Surrounding the chloride channel are four units, each containing one or more sites sensitive to GABA. Benzodiazepines ____ to additional sites on three of those four units.
bind
When a benzodiazepine molecule attaches, it neither opens nor closes the chloride channel but ____ the receptor so that the GABA binds more easily.
twists
Benzodiazepines exert their anti-anxiety effects in the ____, ____, ____, and several other areas.
amygdala, hypothalamus, midbrain
When benzodiazepines reach the ____ and ____ ____, they induce sleepiness, block epileptic convulsions and impair memory.
thalamus and cerebral cortex
To the extent that anti-anxiety drugs provide relief, this is ____. If you have a long-term problem of excessive anxiety, you probably shouldn’t try to solve it with daily benzodiazepines.
temporary
If your fear is based on a particular traumatic experience, an alternative is to try to ____ the learned fear.
extinguish
A reasonable approach is to ____ you to your feared object, perhaps a little at a time, in the hopes of extinction (in the classical-conditioning sense).
expose
Clinical psychologist generally use that approach to relieve phobias, with good success. The problem is, extinction training suppresses original learning or overhangs it with new learning, but does not _______.
eliminate it
Young children sometimes fully extinguish a learned reaction, but adults seldom do, and the original fear might return, especially after a time of ____.
stress
In general, it is easier to extinguish a learned response immediately after original learning than it is later. After time has passed, the learning becomes stronger. Psychologists say it has ____.
consolidated