Neuroplasticity_Addiction_Flashcards
How does neuroplasticity contribute to the development of a Substance Use Disorder (SUD)?
Neuroplasticity contributes to the development of SUD through repeated dopaminergic stimulation, which induces neuroadaptations across multiple neurotransmitter systems. These changes enhance neuronal excitability, affect emotional responses, and impair cognitive control, leading to compulsive drug-seeking behaviors.
What is the role of dopamine in addiction-related neuroplasticity?
Dopamine plays a crucial role in addiction by reinforcing drug use initially and altering neural circuits in the reward pathway, specifically between the striatum and prefrontal cortex (PFC), thereby promoting habitual and compulsive drug use.
How does glutamate contribute to neuroplasticity in addiction?
Glutamate contributes to neuroplasticity in addiction by altering synaptic strength in the reward circuits, particularly through changes in long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD) at synapses, which affect how the brain responds to drug-related cues and experiences.
Describe the interaction between the striatum and PFC in addiction as influenced by neuroplasticity.
The interaction between the striatum and PFC in addiction involves changes induced by neuroplasticity where repeated drug use alters the connectivity and function. This results in reduced control over drug-seeking driven by the striatum and impaired regulatory influence from the PFC.
What is habituation in the context of neuroplasticity and addiction?
In addiction, habituation is the process by which behaviors become automatic and compulsive due to neuroplastic changes in the brain’s reward circuits, particularly the shift from goal-directed actions to stimulus-driven habits, reducing the sensitivity to natural rewards and increasing craving for drugs.
Explain the concept of Pavlovian to Instrumental Transfer (PIT) in addiction.
PIT is a phenomenon where a Pavlovian (classical) conditioned stimulus begins to influence an ongoing instrumental (operant) behavior, such as drug-seeking. This effect underlies the powerful impact of drug-associated environmental cues on maintaining addictive behaviors and triggering relapse.
How does neuroplasticity affect the prefrontal cortex in the context of addiction?
Neuroplasticity affects the PFC by weakening its regulatory control over impulsive and compulsive drug use. This occurs through changes in synaptic connections and neurotransmitter activity, reducing the PFC’s ability to exert executive control and make rational decisions away from drug use.
What is the role of neuroplastic changes in the dorsal striatum in addiction?
Neuroplastic changes in the dorsal striatum play a critical role in the transition from voluntary drug use to habitual and compulsive use. These changes facilitate the automation of drug-seeking behaviors, making them less sensitive to the actual outcomes and more driven by drug-associated cues.
Describe the changes in synaptic morphology related to addiction.
Addiction involves changes in synaptic morphology such as the alteration of dendritic spine density and synapse size, which are influenced by repeated drug exposure. These changes are associated with increased strength of drug-related memories and persistent craving.
How do neuroplastic adaptations facilitate the persistence of addiction?
Neuroplastic adaptations in response to drug use strengthen the neural connections associated with drug cues and experiences, embedding drug-seeking behaviors more deeply into the brain’s circuitry. This results in an enhanced response to drug cues and a diminished ability to pursue alternative rewards, facilitating persistent addiction.
