Neurobiology of Addiction Flashcards
What is the ICD-10 criteria for dependance?
a strong desire to take the substance difficulties controlling the substance use a pyshiological withdrawal state tolerance neglect of alternative pleasures persistance despite evidence of harm
What format should you use when asking about addictions?
CAGE
What does CAGE stand for?
Cut down
Anger
Guilt
Eye opener
What is the pathway of the mesolimbic reward pathway?
originates in the ventral segmental area
then goes to the nucleus accumbens
then goes to the prefrontal cortex
What is the role of the prefrontal cortex?
modulates the effects of the reward pathway
sets goals, focusess attention
makes sound decisions
keeps emotions and impulses under control
When does the prefrontal cortex fully develop?
age 20
What is seen in those with addiction behaviour?
an under develoeped prefrontal cortex
What is released into the mesolimbic pathway when you want to persue something?
dopamine
What receptors are decreased in those with addiction?
dopamine receptors
What shows an increased tolerance?
decreased dopamine receptors
What is the role of the orbitofrontal cortex?
provides internal representations of the importance of events and assigns values to them
What does acute stress lead to?
dopamine release in the neural reward pathway
What does chronic stress lead to?
dampening of the dopaminergic activity through down regulation of D receptor which reduces sensitivity to abnormal rewards
What genetic thing can lead to a higher risk of addiction?
decreased D2 receptors
Is addiction inherited?
yes - 40-60% is inherited
