Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

PSGY1005 Addiction and the Brain > alcohol 2 > Flashcards

alcohol 2 Flashcards

1
Q

explain how alcohol interferes with memory

A
  • interferes with the encoding of new information into long-term declarative memory
  • can range from little memory lapses to partial or complete black outs
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

what does cocktail party memory deficits refer to?

A
  • little memory lapses induced from alcohol intake
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

define binging

A
  • consuming large amounts of alcohol rapidly
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

what % of students who had ever consumed alcohol answered YES to being asked

“Have you ever awoken after a night of drinking not able to remember things that you did or places that you went?”

A

51%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

define declarative memory

A

memory that we can declare/are conscious of

  • consists of episodic memory (memories of events)
  • consists of semantic memory (memories about facts)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

what are the two main possible mechanisms of alcohol induced amnesia?

A

1/ state dependence

2/ selective interference with hippocampal memory mechanisms
(by disrupting the physiological mechanisms of memory, weakening LTP)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

what is state dependence?

A
  • idea that information that is encoded or learned in a drugged state = remembered better if tested in same drugged state
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

outline study that looks into state-dependence and memory

A

had 4 groups experience two conditions

  • AA group = encoded info whilst under alcohol, retrieved info whilst under alcohol
  • SS group = encoded info whilst sober, retrieved info whilst sober
  • AS group = encoded info whilst under alcohol, retrieved info whilst sober
  • SA group = encoded info whilst sober, retrieved info whilst under alcohol

PROCEDURE:
- day 1 = learning phase -> asked to respond to 10 words with first 10 words that comes to mind
- day 2 = recall phase -> cued with words and asked to respond with words from day 1

FINDINGS:
- recall is better in group AA than in group AS
- explains state-dependence as ppts able to recall words when in same state as when recalling words

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

what does state-dependence account for mainly?

A
  • little memory lapses
  • blackouts seem to be due to other mechanisms
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

explain how selective interference with hippocampal memory mechanisms

A
  • alcohol interferes with encoding of new declarative memory
  • this is similar to damage to the hippocampus
  • interference with hippocampal synaptic mechanisms may contribute to alcohol-induced amnesia
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

identify an example of selective interference with hippocampal memory

A
  • alcohol disrupting the induction of hippocampal long-term potentiation
  • LTP = process involving constant strengthening of synapses, leads to long-lasting increase in signal transmission between neurones
  • LTP = key physiological mechanism of memory
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

what are most of the effect of alcohol?

A

negative

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

give examples of unpleasant effects of alcohol

A
  • hangover
  • arguments
  • damage property
  • get injured
  • miss class
  • behind in school
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

why do lots of people consume alcohol despite the negative effects?

A

alcohol directly stimulates the brain’s reward system

experience alcohol as rewarding

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

what is the brain’s reward system known as?

A

meso-corticolimbic dopamine system

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

what does the meso-corticolimbic dopamine system do?

A
  • located in ventral tegmental area in midbrain
  • this sends dopaminergic projections into several parts of the brain
  • this includes the nucleus accumbens, ventral striatum (important for reward system)
  • the release of dopamine within nucleus accumbens -> signals rewarding stimuli
  • evidence that drugs of abuse stimulates dopamine release within nucleus accumbens
  • alcohol disinhibits reward system
  • leads to more dopamine release
17
Q

explain how you use intracerebral microdialysis to measure neurotransmitters

A
  • insert microdialysis probe into brain region of interest
  • probe has semi-permeable membrane
  • this comes in contact with extracellular space of brain
  • flush liquid past membrane
  • collect perfused at other end
  • whilst perfused passes membrane, dopamine and other content of extracellular fluid move into perfusate
  • this is in proportion to extracellular concentration through osmosis
  • level of dopamine you have in perfusate reflects concentration of dopamine in extracellular fluid of brain
18
Q

what about drugs of abuse, including alcohol, gets us hooked?

A
  • drugs of abuse (incl. alcohol) drives dopamine/reward system
  • keeps us wanting more
19
Q

how can chronic excessive alcohol use lead to alcohol dependence?

A
  • long-term compensatory changes in neural mechanisms
  • leads to tolerance
  • chronic psychological changes when sober
20
Q

what is withdrawal hyperexcitability?
(long-term compensatory change)

A
  • refers to out of balance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission
  • in response to chronic alcohol
  • decreases GABA-A receptor functions
    this compensates for acute GABA enhancing effects of acute alcohol
  • increases glutamate receptor stimulation
    this compensates for decreased glutamate release
21
Q

what are the possible effects of withdrawal hyperexcitability?

A
  • withdrawal symptoms: seizures, tremors, withdrawal anxiety, alcohol craving
  • excitotoxic brain damage (long-term cognitive deficits)
    this is where neurones get too excited for too long, they die
22
Q

what is the name of the syndrome associated with severe cognitive impairments and brain shrinkage due to chronic excessive alcohol consumption?

A

Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome

23
Q

explain Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome

A
  • caused by thiamine (vitamin B) deficiency
  • commonly associated with alcoholism
  • characterised by ophtalmoplegia (paralysis of eye muscles), confusion, ataxia (loss of full bodily control)
24
Q

what is Korsakoff amnesia?

A
  • what remains after treatment of acute Wernicke syndrome if thiamine deficiency lasted too long
  • impairment of forming new declarative memory
  • severe brain shrinkage
  • striking degeneration of mammillary bodies (part of hypothalamus)
25
Q

what does uncomplicated alcoholics refer to?

A
  • alcoholics that are dependent on alcohol
  • don’t show Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome

PSGY1005 Addiction and the Brain (18 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions