Neurotransmission study: Leyton

Question 1

What was the aim of this study?

Answer 1

To investigate the role of alcohol on the brain

Question 2

What was the procedures for this study?

Answer 2

• 26 healthy social drinkers
• Participants were investigated at various risks for alcoholism
• Leyton did a PET scan after the participants drunk juice and then did another PET scan after participants had drunk alcohol
• Participants had to drink 3 drinks in 15 minutes

Question 3

What were the findings from this study?

Answer 3

• When drinking alcohol those were considered ‘high risk’ for alcoholism (did not feel as drunk but still drinking the same amount) showed greater activity in the nucleus accumbens (associated with reward, motivation and addiction)
• Responsible for releasing dopamine

Question 4

What was the conclusion from this study?

Answer 4

Alcohol is an agonist for dopamine, those with a potential for alcoholism have a greater response to the agonist