16 - Drugs of Abuse Flashcards
Measures of dependence (5)…
- Lethality
- Long-term side effects
- Impaired brain function
- Dependence liability
- Harms to family and community
Drug addiction is classified under ‘addictive disorders’ in the DMS-5. Criteria include…
- Wanting to stop but being unable to
- Taking larger amounts for longer than intended
- Cravings
- Dependency
- Tolerance
- Withdrawal
etc…
Probability of drug abuse peaks at which period in life. Suggest an explaination…
- Neurobiology - animal models show highest response to drugs during adolescence
- Social pressures
List the 9 classes of drugs…
- Opiates
- Stimulants
- Methamphetamine
- Nicotine
- Halucinogens
- Marijuana
- DIssociative anaesthetics
- Alcohol
- Butane/inhalants
Opiates effectively inhibit pain by blocking signals transmitted by the spinal cord from the body. Similar receptors are located in the _____ ______ which leads to feeling of euphoria.
Opiates effectively inhibit pain by blocking signals transmitted by the spinal cord from the body. Similar receptors are located in the limbic system which leads to feeling of euphoria.
Opiates effectively inhibit pain by blocking signals transmitted by the spinal cord from the body. Similar receptors are located in the _____ ______ which are responsible for overdose side effects (autonomic function and breathing)
Opiates effectively inhibit pain by blocking signals transmitted by the spinal cord from the body. Similar receptors are located in the brain stem which are responsible for overdose side effects (autonomic function and breathing)
Short term effects of opiates…
- Depressed respiration
- Euphoria/rush
- Pain suppresion
- Nausea
- Clouded mental function
- Spontaneous abortion
Long term effects of opiates include…
- Immunosuppresion (leading to infections)
- Collapsed veins
- Infection of heart lining and valves
- Arthritis
- Addiction
Cocaine blocks ________ reuptake. Crack cocaine induces a highly memorable intense euphoria. Taken over long periods it is associated with…
Cocaine blocks dopamine reuptake. Crack cocaine induces a highly memorable intense euphoria. Taken over long periods it is associated with depression
Methamphetamine appears to have a __________ effect. It can damage dopamine and seratonin containing cells, leading to…
Methamphetamine appears to have a neurotoxic effect. It can damage dopamine and seratonin containing cells, leading to Parkinson’s-like symptoms
Ecstacsy (MDMA) impacts the seratonin system. In primates, high exposure is associated with the rapid developments of…
Persistant nerve damage
Nicotine activates _____ receptors in the brain. Withdrawal is associated with feelings of (4)…
Nicotine activates nAch receptors in the brain. Withdrawal is associated with feelings of irritability, anxiety, depression and craving.
Nicotine withdrawal can be treated with Varenidine, which is a…
Partial nAch agonist
Cannabis is thought to influence which part of the brain…
Nucleus accumbens
Since, unlike opiates, cannabis exhibits no activity in the brain stem it is…
Not life threatening at any dose
The main effects of cannabis are seen in which 4 parts of the brain?
- Frontal cortex
- Hippocampus
- Basal ganglia
- Cerebellum
Cannabis containing a higher ratio of psychoactive THC to CBD is associated with a greeater risk of…
Psychosis
Legal highs include substances such as…
- Synthetic cannabinoids
- Methedrone
- 2-DPMP
- APB
Common mechanism of action for drugs of abuse…
Dopamine system (the meso-cortico limbic system)
Interesting observations in animal studies which may have shed light on patterns of drug abuse in society (2)…
- Environmental enrichment reduces cocaine seeking in rats
- Cocaine has greater reinforcing effects of subordinate animals (PET* studies)
*Positron emission tomography, not studies on pets ;-)
Addiction is associated with (impulsive / reflective) personality characteristics.
This is reflected in greater influence of the (amygdala / prefrontal cortex), which signals pain or pleasure associated with ( future / immediate ) prospects.
This is known as the…
Addiction is associated with impulsive personality characteristics.
This is reflected in greater influence of the amygdala, which signals pain or pleasure associated with immediate prospects.
This is known as the neurocognitive endophenotype
