Neuro: Addiction Flashcards
Drug rewards might activate the same brain systems as intense natural rewards and act primarily as ________________
Positive reinforcers
What are 3 processes that maintain/regulate drug seeking behavior?
- Positive reinforcing and discriminative effects of substances
- Environmental stimuli
- Aversive effects of substances which extinguish drug seeking
Addiction cycle is a relapsing disorder characterized by compulsion to do what?
Seek and take the drug substance
Addiction cycle is a relapsing disorder characterized by loss of control in doing what?
Limiting intake of the drug
Addiction cycle is a relapsing disorder characterized by a negative emotional state when what happens?
When access to the drug substance is prevented
The nucleus accumbens is important in _________ and ___________
Motivation and reward
What area sends dopaminergic projections to the nucleus accumbens?
Ventral tegmental area
Those with a major depressive episode are twice as likely as those without a major depressive episode to have used an illicit drug in the past year. True or False?
True
Is a person with a major depressive episode more likely to have an illicit drug disorder and/or alcohol use disorder compared to a person without a major depressive episode?
Yes much more likely
How does heavy alcohol use compare between those with MDE vs. without MDE?
Similar rates. Almost even
The rate of daily cigarette use was _______ x greater in those who had MDE in the last year
1.8x
Greatest prevalence rate of smoking in the psychiatric population is among patients with what disorders?
Schizophrenia or Depression
Are environmental experiences a major factor in addiction?
Yes
The more risk factors a person has, the greater the chance that taking drugs will lead to ___________________
Drug use and addiction
How do protective factors affect a person’s risk?
Reduce risk
Risk and protective factors may be either ___________ or ____________
Environmental or biological
Rats will self-administer drugs when directly applied to what two areas?
Nucleus accumbens and Ventral Tegmental Area
Ventral tegmental area (VTA) is a midbrain structure where ___________ is produced? And is associated with _________, _________ and ___________
midbrain structure where dopamine is produced: associated with mood, reward, and addiction
How does dosage amount impact infusion amount?
Higher doses cause less infusions
Why can’t we just block D1 and D2 to prevent/stop addiction?
This would not work, it would precipitate withdrawal
Which neurotransmitter seems to play a major role in ‘drug addiction’ especially regarding cocaine?
D. Dopamine
Which brain area is most associated with the reinforcing effects of abused substances?
A. Nucleus accumbens
