Dopamine Function And Addiction Flashcards
How do amphetamines work?
Increase release and decrease uptake via reversal of the uptake pump
Inhibits dopamine breakdown via MAO inhibition
What does high dose of systemic amphetamines dots a mouse?
Causes sterotypy - complex movements which are not goal directed)
What does low dose amphetamines cause in mice?
Hyperactivity
What are the possible explanations for dose dependanct reactions for amphetamines?
Larger release in dopamine within the NAc than striatum
Competition between behaviours
What behaviour is produced by amphetamines injection into the NAc?
Hyperactivity
What is the effect of amphetamine injection in the striatum?
Stereotypy
What is the explanation for hyperactivity as a result of amphetamines?
Environment has become more salient due to increas ein dopamine - manifestation of urge to explore new environment
What is operant conditioning?
Animal wil repeats behaviour is the consequence is rewarding e.g. Food, sex, water (driven by motivation)
IN the Skinner box what causes an increase in dopamine?
Receiving a reward or a stimulus which has previously been associated with the reward
What is the effect of a dopamine antagonist (Pimozide) on number of lever pressings on test days following conditioning?
They will decrease
What will happen to number o levers presses of no reward is given after conditioning?
They will decrease
What is the process by which an animal will decrease the number of times it presses the lever?
Extinction
What is self stimulation?
Animals will work to receive an electrical stimulus of certain brain areas
What areas are most effective for promoting self stimulation?
Ventral tegmental area
Median forebrain bundle (pathway between VTA and nucleus accumbens)
What other areas (to a lesser extent) will animals self stimulate?
Prefrontal cortex
Nucleus accumbens