limbic system

Question 1

name of drug dependence pathway for dopamine

Answer 1

mesolimbic pathway

Question 2

mesolimbic pathway

Answer 2

substantia nigra in midbrain (A10) -> medial forebrain buncal -> cortex, nucleus accumbens and amygdala

Question 3

diagram of mesolimbic pathway

Answer 3

Question 4

what increases dopamine release in nucleus accumbens

Answer 4

recreational drugs e.g. opioids, nicotine, amphetamines, ethanol, cocaine

Question 5

how do recreational drugs increase dopamine release from nucleus accumbens (basis of drug addiction)

Answer 5

stimulate midbrain neurones, promote dopamine release or inhibit dopamine reuptake (other neurotransmitters also modify system)

Question 6

what is Levodopa and what is it used to treat

Answer 6

dopamine precursor (agonist) to treat Parkinson’s (substantia nigra die)

Question 7

side effect of Levodopa

Answer 7

OCD due to increased dopamine release from nucleus accumbens

Question 8

septal nuclei therapeutic approach to treat tremor in Parkinson’s patients

Answer 8

deep brain stimulation (e.g. subthalamic regions); septal nuclei stimulation could help chronic depressives (mesolimbic pathway)