20.4 Pharm: Drug dependence and abuse

Question 1

What is the difference between drug dependence and abuse?

Answer 1

Dependence: drug taking becomes compulsive, takes precedence over other needs

Abuse: use of elicit (or ilicit legal use) substances, by recurrent and clinically significant adverse consequences

Question 2

What is the key reward centre in the brain?

Answer 2

Nucleus accumbens (dopamine)

Question 3

What is the difference between stimulants and psychotomimetics

Answer 3

Stimulants: e.g. amphetamine, cocaine, ecstacy

Psychotomimetics: e.g. hallucinogens, psychedelics

Question 4

How does coke/amphetamine work?

Answer 4

Increase NA in synaptic cleft

Cocaine: blocks neuronal reuptake

Amphetamine: releases in absence of nerve firing

Question 5

What does LSD stand for? How does it work?

Answer 5

Lysergic acid diethylamide

Inhibition of 5-HT neurones in Raphe

Question 6

How does ecstacy work?

Answer 6

Releases dopamine and serotonin

Question 7

How does ethanol work?

Answer 7

CNS depressant, inhibits Ca2+ channel opening, enhance GABA action, inhibit glutamate