Biological explanation 1: Dopamine Flashcards
Where do addictive behaviours trigger the release of dopamine?
In the ventral tegemental area (VTA) which leads to a sense of pleasure in the nucleus accumbens (NAc)
In the case of addictive behaviours, how is this system functioning?
In the case of addictive behaviours, the system is responding to more harmful actions and therefore becomes maladaptive.
What research shows that addictive substances and behaviours trigger the release of dopamine in this reward pathway?
- Joutsa et al., 2012 found that dopamine levels were increased in participants given a gambling task, and these levels raised regardless of whether the outcome was a win or not.
- Boileau et al., 2003 found that alcohol raised dopamine levels in the brain.
Volkow et al., 1997
Found a decrease in D2 receptors and decrease in dopamine release. Supports the build of a tolerance.
What does growing a tolerance mean for the addict?
The addict will need to engage more in the addictive behaviour to experience the same sensations and, if they stop, they will experience withdrawal symptoms.
What does Nora Volkow suggest about maintaining addiction?
Although the dopamine reward pathway is the starting point for an addiction to develop, it is the changes this causes in the frontal cortex that turn engaging in a behaviour into an addiction.
What is the frontal cortex
Area of the brain that is linked to higher cognitive functions such as decision making.
How do addictive behaviours effect the frontal cortex
Changes to the brain circuits that decide what to pay attention to so that the brain associates too much importance to the addictive behaviour.
Robinson and Berridge 2003
The dopamine system is playing the role of making the individual want to engage in the behaviour rather than engaging in the behaviour because they like to.
What does Robinson and berridge’s research explain?
Why addicts report that they no longer enjoy the experience but cannot overcome the cravings.
