October 8

Question 1

Alcohol and cannabinoid receptors

Answer 1

• Alcohol and cannabinoid agonists both activate the reward system
  
  • Disinhibiting nucleus accumbens
• Chronic alcohol use stimulates formation anandamide
  
  • Leads to temporary down regulation of cannabinoid receptors

Question 2

Alcohol and opioid receptors

Answer 2

GABA-mediated inhibition may activate opioid receptors and influence dopaminergic neurons in brain reward system

Question 3

Alcohol and serotonin receptors

Answer 3

• High consumption rates are associated with reduced serotonin release in cortical regions
• Binding and expression is reduced in alcohol use disorder patients
• Serotonin dysfunction may play a role in some types of alcoholism

Question 4

Acute effects of alcohol

Answer 4

1.) Behavioural disruption
2.) Alcohol myopia
3.) Vasodilation
4.) Diuretic effects
5.) Suppression REM sleep
6.) Suppression of testosterone production

Question 5

Behavioural disruption

Answer 5

Complex and poorly learned behaviours disrupted at lower doses

Question 6

Alcohol myopia

Answer 6

Here and now focus; less attention to periphery or long term consequences
- More extreme behaviour; reduction of anxious and depressive thoughts

Question 7

Vasodilation

Answer 7

Loss of body heat but feel warm; flushed appearance

Question 8

Diuretic effects

Answer 8

• Decreased output of antidiuretic hormone
• Increased urination
• May lower blood pressure

Question 9

Three types of tolerance

Answer 9

1.) Metabolic
2.) Tissue, or functional
3.) Associative

Question 10

Risk factors of alcoholism

Answer 10

• Drinking at an early age, especially binge drinking
• Self-medication of psychological distress