Neuro and Behavior of Addiction

Question 1

Dependence definition

Answer 1

repeated, compulsive use of a drug.

Question 2

Cross-dependence definition

Answer 2

drugs within a pharmacological class can support individuals physically dependent on other drugs in the same class

Question 3

Tolerance definition

Answer 3

Reduced drug effect with repeated use & a need for higher doses to produce the same effect

Question 4

Drug Addiction definition

Answer 4

Extreme form of dependence in which the need to obtain and consume the drug becomes the dominant force in an individual’s life.

Question 5

Druge Abuse definition

Answer 5

Continuous use of a drug in a way that deviates from the social norms of a given culture; disregard of harmful medical or social consequences.

Question 6

Withdrawal definition

Answer 6

Pathophysiologic disturbance experienced as a result of withdrawal of a drug that had induced dependence

Question 7

Acute rewarding effects of drugs of abuse (binge/intoxication) are mediated by

Answer 7

neurochemical elements such as dopamine and opioid peptides in the nucleus accumbens and amygdala

Question 8

Acute withdrawal from all major drugs of abuse produces

Answer 8

increases in reward thresholds, increases in anxiety-like responses and increases in CRF in the amygdala that are of motivational significance

Question 9

Compulsive drug use associated with dependence is mediated by

Answer 9

loss of function of reward systems but recruitment of brain stress systems such as corticotropin releasing factor, norepinephrine and dynorphin in the extended amygdala

Question 10

Acute drug administration leads to increased ____ release in ____ and is associated with subjective descriptors of reward

Answer 10

dopamine; striatum

Question 11

Extended Amygdala integrates what two systems?

Answer 11

brain arousal system and hedonic processing system; promotes negative reinforcement assoc. with addiction

Question 12

Extended Amygdala is comprised of what?

Answer 12

afferents from basolateral amygdala and hippocampus

efferents to medial ventral palladium and lateral hypothalamus

Question 13

what brain structure plays a key role in fear conditioning and the emotional component of pain?

Answer 13

amygdala

Question 14

Neuroadaptation to chronic drug exposure?

Answer 14

decreased functioning of NT systems that the drug induces. i.e. a decrease in the number of receptors leading to tolerance

Question 15

Neuroadaptation that leads to withdrawal associated with fatigue, decreased mood and psychomotor retardation

Answer 15

linked to reduced dopamine (mesolimbic) and 5- HT (nucleus accumbens)

Question 16

Neuroadaptation as it relates to dynorphin?

Answer 16

Dynorphin via kappa opioid receptors (up-regulated after drug use) acts as a negative feedback regulating dopamine action, thus is antihedonic

Question 17

Largest hurdle in breaking addiction cycle?

Answer 17

influence of drugs on executive function leads to enhanced sensitivity to conditioned cues

Question 18

Describe the KOPr / dynorphin tone relationship with addiction cycle

** possible exam material

Answer 18

1. Initial experimentation causes a surge in dopamine, leads to compensatory inhibition by increased KOPr / Dynorphin tone.
2. In absence or withdrawal of drugs, KOPr / Dynorphin tone still elevated, leading to anhedonia and depression
3. re-escalation/relapse is exacerbated by learnt behavior patterns and pre-existing up-regulation of KOPr / Dynorphin tone

Question 19

Processing of conditioned reinforcement occurs where?

Answer 19

basolateral amygdala

Question 20

Contextual information is processed where?

Answer 20

hippocampus

Question 21

PFC and basolateral amygdala project to the ventral striatum in what process using what NT?

Answer 21

preoccupation, anticipation, craving

glutamatergic (glutamate)

Question 22

Sensitization definition and example

Answer 22

Repeated use of the same drug elicits an escalating effect

bruxism, tics

Question 23

Cloninger type I alcoholic description

Answer 23

Type I individuals alcoholism generally occurred later in life, affected more by environment and influenced more by harm avoidance.

Question 24

Cloninger type II alcoholic description

Answer 24

Type II alcoholism occurs earlier in life, usually children of alcoholics who are guided by novelty seeking

Question 25

Three general stages of addiction going from impulsivity to compulsivity

Answer 25

binge/intoxication, withdrawal/negative affect, and preoccupation/anticipation.

Question 26

In late stage of addiction, what is the driving force to continue abusing a substance?

Answer 26

negative reinforcement (compulsivity, withdrawal symptoms etc)

Question 27

In early stage of addiction, what is the driving force to continue abusing a substance?

Answer 27

positive reinforcement (impulsivity, pleasure from drug, etc)

Question 28

Rats will self-administer cocaine directly into what part(s) of the brain to activate the reward pathway

Answer 28

nucleus accumbens (or the VTA)

Question 29

Explain synergism in drug use

Answer 29

use of alcohol or “recreational drugs” to enhance effects of food, music, sex, etc. can “synergize” to enhance enjoyment of one another.

Question 30

Drug-induced reinstatement is localized to _____ parts of the brain and is mediated by the neurotransmitter ____?

Answer 30

medial prefrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens, ventral pallidum circuit

glutamate

Question 31

Cue-induced reinstatement is localized to _____ parts of the brain and is mediated by the neurotransmitter _____?

Answer 31

basolateral amygdala

dopamine

Question 32

Craving type II involves stress and involves what circuit?

Answer 32

HPA axis

Question 33

Bruxism and tics secondary to stimulant abuse are examples of
** Possible exam question

Answer 33

Sensitization

Question 34

Are Cloninger Type II alcoholics novelty seeking or harm avoiding? Does addiction occur in early or late life?

Answer 34

novelty seeking and early life

Question 35

Alcohol Anonymous philosophy “change people, places and thing” refers to?

Answer 35

Stimuli paired with drug craving

Question 36

The area of brain that serves in emotional processing and is activated for cue vs. drug induced craving is?

Answer 36

Amygdala

Question 37

The components of reward pathway include?

Answer 37

Prefrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens, VTA