Drugs of abuse

Question 1

What results in a large degree of conditioning?

Answer 1

Mesolimbic dopaminergic activation

Question 2

What is the active substance in tobacco smoke?

Answer 2

CNS nACHRs

Question 3

What does nACHRs act on?

Answer 3

a4B2

Question 4

What is the overall effect due to a balance of?

Answer 4

Neuronal excitation (activation of nACHRs) and desensitisation (blocking os synapses).

Question 5

Where are inhibitory Renshaw cells?

Answer 5

Ventral horn of the spinal cord

Question 6

What is the difference between 2 doses of nACHR?

Answer 6

Small dose - arousal

Large dose - calming

Question 7

What are the peripheral effects of smoking?

Answer 7

Stimulation of autonomic ganglia and sensory receptors.

Question 8

What are the two main ways of drugs treatment for cigarette dependence?

Answer 8

Nicotine replacement therapy with psychotherapy

Buproprion NA/DA reuptake blocker

Question 9

What are the 5 main theories of ethanol action?

Answer 9

1. Enhancement of GABA-mediated inhibition on GABAa
2. Inhibition of Ca2+ entry
3. INhibition of NMDAR function
4. Inhibition of adenosine transport
5. Endogenous opioids due to action of naltrexone reducing the reward effects

Question 10

Why do many chronic alcoholics develop irreversible dementia?

Answer 10

Thinning of the cerebral cortex

Question 11

Give 3 major sites of damage from alcohol consumption other than the CNS

Answer 11

1. Increased fat accumulation
2. Hepatitis
3. Irreversible hepatic necrosis

Question 12

What is alcohol metabolised to in the liver?

Answer 12

Acetaldehyde and acetic acid