Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

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


See full index

BB2 > Drug Dependence > Flashcards

Drug Dependence Flashcards

1
Q

How many of the adult British population have taken illegal drugs?

A

One in three

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

What is addiction?

A

Chronic disease characterised by drug seeking and use that is compulsive, or difficult to control, despite harmful consequences.

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

Define drug abuse.

A

A pattern of drug use in which the users consume the substance in amounts or using methods which are directly or indirectly harmful to themselves or others.

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

Define drug dependence.

A

An adaptive state that develops after repeated drug use and which results in withdrawal symptoms upon cessation of drug use.

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

Define drug tolerance.

A

The diminishing effect of a drug which results after repeated administration at a set dose.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Define psychological dependence.

A

Dependence that involves emotional–motivational withdrawal symptoms (e.g. dysphoria, depression, anhedonia, restlessness).

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

Define physical dependence.

A

Dependence that involves significant physical–somatic withdrawal symptoms (e.g. fatigue, nausea, seizures, pain, delirium tremens).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Classification of drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 - give examples for class A, B and C.

A

Class A: heroin, methadone, cocaine, crack cocaine, ecstasy, LSD, magic mushrooms, methadone…

Class B: amphetamines, barbiturates, ketamine, methylphenidate, codeine, cannabis…

Class C: anabolic steroids, benzodiazepines, gamma hydroxybutyrate, gamma butyrolactone, khat…

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

What are the receptors for…
Opiates?
Cocaine?
Amphetamine?

A

Mu and delta opioid receptors - agonist
DA, NAd and 5-HT uptake systems - antagonist
Monoaminergic transmission:uptake systems - agonist of TAAR1

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What are the receptors for…
Ethanol?
Nicotine?
Cannabinoids?

A

GABA A and NMDA receptors - modulator
Nicotinic receptors - agonist
CB1 receptors - agonist

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What are the receptors for…
Ketamine and phencyclidine?
Hallucinogens?
Barbiturates and benzodiazepines?

A

NMDA glutamate receptors - antagonist
5-HT 2A receptors - agonist
GABA A receptors - agonist

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What neurotransmitter is particularly important in pleasure?

A

Dopamine - occupancy of dopamine receptors by labelled marker decreases when the stimulant induces pleasure, as it is displaced by dopamine.

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

The dopaminergic projection from _____ to _____ is essential in drug dependence.

A

Ventral tegmental area

Nucleus accumbens

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What are the four stages of the addiction cycle?

A
  1. Intoxication – positive reinforcement. Impaired self-awareness.
  2. Bingeing - loss of control.
  3. Withdrawal/negative affect - negative reinforcement. Amotivation and anhedonia.
  4. Craving – conditioned positive and negative reinforcement. Drug expectation and attention bias.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Mechanisms underlying withdrawal.

A

Activation of kappa opioid receptors (endogenous receptor for dynorphin-like peptides) can trigger dysphoria, by reducing dopamine release. Administration of drugs of abuse increases the release of dopamine. Chronic intake leads to up-regulation of dynorphin, which might inhibit drug-induced dopamine release. After stopping the drug, these adaptations remain unopposed which contributes to the negative emotional state associated with drug withdrawal.

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

Brain areas involved in the development of drug dependence. (6)

A 
Ventral tegmental area
Nucleus accumbens (one of first to be involved)
Insula
Hippocampus
Prefrontal cortex
Amygdala (last to be involved)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Brain connectivity changes occurs during the development of addiction. There is gradual involvement of many CNS structures. There is increasing ________ with increasing use of drugs, and increasing ______/________.

A

Neuroplasticity

Compulsivity/loss of control

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

In addicts what can be said about the availability of dopamine D2 receptors and cerebral metabolism?
In what brain area is this particularly prevalent?

A

Reduced - these have a linear relationship, they increase/decrease with each other.
Orbitofrontal cortex and cingulate gyrus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

In addicts, there are processes that are impaired. These include:
Self-control, emotional regulation, motivation, attention, memory, decision making, insight and salience attribution.
What area of the brain is this associated with?

A

Prefrontal cortex

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Addicts show iRISA. What does this stand for?

A

Impaired response inhibition and salience attribution

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Chronic drug abuse affects gene regulation. How?

A

Gradual accumulation in gene expression changes.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Which opiates and psychostimulants can particularly effect neuronal structure? What effect do they have?

A

Cocaine and morphine

Morphine decreases the total dendritic length and dendritic spine density. Cocaine increases it.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What classifies as hazardous drinking?

A

Regular consumption of over 5 units a day for men and over 3 units a day for women.

24
Q

What does acute alcohol intoxication cause?

A

Euphoria followed by depressed mood, slurring of speech, ataxia, general incoordination, and pupillary dilatation.

25
Q

How does acute alcohol ingestion affect transmission?

A

Depresses excitatory transmission and potentiates inhibitory transmission.

26
Q

What is the long term consequence of alcohol abuse on the brain?

A

Shrinkage of grey matter

27
Q

What are some of the long terms effects of alcohol abuse?

A 
Peptic ulcer, GI haemorrhage, varices
Pancreatitis
Alcoholic liver disease 
Peripheral neuropathy
Korsakoff syndrome
AF
Hypoglycaemia 
Thiamine deficiency etc etc...
28
Q

What does MDMA stand for?

A

Methylene dioxymethamphetamine - ecstasy

29
Q

What are some of the systems and receptors that MDMA target? (5)

A 
5-HT uptake system
Dopamine uptake system
5-HT2 receptors
H2 histamine receptors
α2 adrenergic receptors
30
Q

What mediates the behavioural actions and temperature effects of MDMA?

A

5-HT

31
Q

Psychomotor effects of MDMA are mediated by ____ stimulation of dopamine release and activation of _________ receptor.
What are these motor effects?

A

5-HT
5-HT 1B receptor
Repetitive movements and hyperlocomotion

32
Q 
MDMA users (for a median of 3.66 years) - what effect is seen on their regional glucose metabolism?
What does this cause?
A 
Significantly decreased (prefrontal hypometabolism)
Verbal memory deficits
33
Q

What are the signs and symptoms of acute MDMA toxicity? (6)

A 
Body temperature elevation
Disseminated intravascular coagulation
Rhabdomyolysis (blocked by dantrolene)
Increased renal reabsorbtion of water
Hyponatraemia
Cerebral oedema
34
Q

What three factors determine the development of addiction?

A

Environment
Drug-induced effects
Genes

35
Q

Overuse of MDMA leads to loss of what type of axon?

A

Serotonin axons

36
Q

CB 1 receptors are concentrated in which part of the body?

A

Central nervous system

37
Q

CB 2 receptors are concentrated in which part of the body?

A

Immune system

38
Q

What type of receptor is CB 1?

A

G protein-coupled

39
Q

What are the symptoms of cannabinoid intoxication?

A

Hypothermia
Rigid immobility
Decreased motor activity

40
Q

Cannabinoids exert mainly what type of effect?

A

Inhibitory

41
Q

What are the risks of long-term cannabis use?

A

Increases risk of developing schizophrenia and major depression, memory problems and paranoia.

42
Q

What is cannabidiol?

A

Major non-psychotropic cannabinoid compound present in the plant Cannabis sativa

43
Q

What two things does Sativex combine? What ratio?

A

THC and CBD

1:1

44
Q

What is nabilone?

A

Synthetic analogue of THC

45
Q

What ratio does Cannador combine THC and CBD in?

A

2:1

46
Q

What are the key methods of management of addiction? (5)

A 
Detoxification
Psychological support
Medication
Evaluation and treatment for co-occurring mental health problems
Long-term follow-up
47
Q

What is nalmefene used for?

A

Reduction of alcohol consumption (opiate antagonist)

48
Q

What is ceftriaxone? What has it shown potential to do?

A

Antibiotic

Attenuate cocaine relapse after abstinence

49
Q

Why is disulfiram given to alcoholics? How does it work?

A

To prevent relapse

It is a aldehyde hydrogenase inhibitor, allows build up of acetaldehyde (toxic product).

50
Q

Why are GABA agonists such as benzodiazepines and anti-epileptic agents given to alcoholics?

A

To help withdrawal symptoms

51
Q

What kind of drug is naltrexone? What about acamprosate? Why is it given to alcoholics?

A

Opioid antagonist (also given to opiate addicts)
Affects glutamate receptors
To prevent relapse

52
Q

Bupropion – what is it used for? How does it work?

A

Monoamine reuptake inhibitor for smoking cessation

53
Q

Buprenorophine – what is it used for? How does it work?

A

Opioid mu receptor partial agonist, kappa antagonist to help with opiate withdrawal symptoms.

54
Q

Clonidine and lofexidine – what are they used for? How do they work?

A

Alpha-2 adrenoreceptor agonists to help with opiate withdrawal symptoms.

55
Q

What drug was recently introduced for nicotine addiction? How does it work?

A

Varenicline (α4β2 selective partial agonist

at nicotinic receptors)

56
Q

What are the two main side effects of varenicline?

A

Nausea and psychiatric disturbances

BB2 (32 decks)

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