Pharmacology of Reward

Question 1

Interconnected forebrain structures underlying perception of reward/phenomenon of positive reinforcment

Answer 1

nucleus accumbens, amygdala, hippocampus, lateral hypothalamus, prefrontal cortex

Question 2

Where are the cell bodies of the structures involved in reinforcement/reward

Answer 2

ventral tegmental area

Question 3

memory circuit involved in mediating associations between biologic stimuli (or drugs of abuse) and environmental cues

Answer 3

Hippocampus

Question 4

integrative structure projecting to VTA and nucleus accumbus

Answer 4

Amygdala

Question 5

structure thought to be important to formation of stimulus-reward associations (remember pairing of stimuli with reward)

Answer 5

Amygdala

Question 6

function in reward/reinforcement as part of neural circuit interfacing between limbic emotional-motivational info and extrapyramidal regulation of motor behavior

Answer 6

VTA adn NA

Question 7

area critical for executive function

Answer 7

prefrontal cortex

Question 8

provides control over impulses from destructive behavior

Answer 8

Prefrontal cortex areas

Question 9

impairment of this after chronic drug abuse important mediatory in loss of control over drug intake (addiction)

Answer 9

prefrontal cortex

Question 10

stimulus increasing probability that behaviors paired with it will be repeated

Answer 10

Reinforcing stimulus

Question 11

what areas of brain part of reactive reward system

Answer 11

VTA, amygdala, Nucleus accumbens; amygdala connects to both VTA and NA

Question 12

Stimulants

Answer 12

cocaine, meth, nicotine, MDMA (ecstasy)

Question 13

CNS Depressants

Answer 13

Alcohol, Benzodiazepines

Question 14

Cannabinoids

Answer 14

Marijuana

Question 15

Hallucinogens

Answer 15

LSD, psilocybin

Question 16

Dissociative Anesthetics

Answer 16

Phencyclidine, Ketamine

Question 17

highest to least relative risk of addiction

Answer 17

Cocaine/Meth> Nicotine/Opioids > Alchohol/Benzodiazepines> Cannabinoids > Hallucinogens/Dissociative anesthetics

MDMA– unknown

Question 18

Effects of stimulants on DA neurons

Answer 18

Cocaine - block DA uptake
Meth - DA releaser
Nicotine- excitation
MDMA (5HT releaser)

Question 19

Effects of opioids on DA neurons

Answer 19

disinhibition

Question 20

effect of alcohol on DA neurons

Answer 20

excitation, disinhibition

Question 21

effect of benzodiazepines on DA neurons

Answer 21

disinhibition

Question 22

effects of cannabinoids on DA neurons

Answer 22

disinhibition

Question 23

Modes of administration

Answer 23

Inhalation, IV, mucous membranes, oral

IV/inhaled associated with most rapid rise in brain levels/greater likelihood of addiction

Question 24

routs of administration most likely to produce addiction

Answer 24

IV and inhalation

Question 25

routes associated with faster rise in brain levels

Answer 25

IV/inhalation

Question 26

Shorter half life associated with

Answer 26

higher abuse liabilities

Question 27

NT central to reward

Answer 27

Dopamine

Question 28

Reinforcing properties

Answer 28

Euphoria (DA), ansiolysis, CNS stimulation (DA) altered perception

Question 29

which brain structure acts as “master effector”

Answer 29

hypothalamus

Question 30

stimulus interpreted as intrinsically positive-something to be approached

Answer 30

reward

Question 31

memory circuit mediating associations between biologic stimuli/drugs adn environmental cues

Answer 31

hippocampus

Question 32

integrative structure important to formation of stimulus-reward associations

Answer 32

amygdala

Question 33

Brain area critical for executive function in impulse control from destructive behavior

Answer 33

prefrontal cortex

Question 34

impairment of this structure is an important mediator of loss of control

Answer 34

prefrontal cortex

Question 35

orbitofrontal PFC involvement in pathway

Answer 35

regulating impulses

Question 36

dorsolateral PFC involvement in reward system

Answer 36

analysis of situation

Question 37

ventromedial PFC involvement in reward system

Answer 37

integration with emotions