Pharmacology of Reward Flashcards
Interconnected forebrain structures underlying perception of reward/phenomenon of positive reinforcment
nucleus accumbens, amygdala, hippocampus, lateral hypothalamus, prefrontal cortex
Where are the cell bodies of the structures involved in reinforcement/reward
ventral tegmental area
memory circuit involved in mediating associations between biologic stimuli (or drugs of abuse) and environmental cues
Hippocampus
integrative structure projecting to VTA and nucleus accumbus
Amygdala
structure thought to be important to formation of stimulus-reward associations (remember pairing of stimuli with reward)
Amygdala
function in reward/reinforcement as part of neural circuit interfacing between limbic emotional-motivational info and extrapyramidal regulation of motor behavior
VTA adn NA
area critical for executive function
prefrontal cortex
provides control over impulses from destructive behavior
Prefrontal cortex areas
impairment of this after chronic drug abuse important mediatory in loss of control over drug intake (addiction)
prefrontal cortex
stimulus increasing probability that behaviors paired with it will be repeated
Reinforcing stimulus
what areas of brain part of reactive reward system
VTA, amygdala, Nucleus accumbens; amygdala connects to both VTA and NA
Stimulants
cocaine, meth, nicotine, MDMA (ecstasy)
CNS Depressants
Alcohol, Benzodiazepines
Cannabinoids
Marijuana
Hallucinogens
LSD, psilocybin
Dissociative Anesthetics
Phencyclidine, Ketamine
highest to least relative risk of addiction
Cocaine/Meth> Nicotine/Opioids > Alchohol/Benzodiazepines> Cannabinoids > Hallucinogens/Dissociative anesthetics
MDMA– unknown
Effects of stimulants on DA neurons
Cocaine - block DA uptake
Meth - DA releaser
Nicotine- excitation
MDMA (5HT releaser)
Effects of opioids on DA neurons
disinhibition
effect of alcohol on DA neurons
excitation, disinhibition
effect of benzodiazepines on DA neurons
disinhibition
effects of cannabinoids on DA neurons
disinhibition
Modes of administration
Inhalation, IV, mucous membranes, oral
IV/inhaled associated with most rapid rise in brain levels/greater likelihood of addiction
routs of administration most likely to produce addiction
IV and inhalation
routes associated with faster rise in brain levels
IV/inhalation
Shorter half life associated with
higher abuse liabilities
NT central to reward
Dopamine
Reinforcing properties
Euphoria (DA), ansiolysis, CNS stimulation (DA) altered perception
which brain structure acts as “master effector”
hypothalamus
stimulus interpreted as intrinsically positive-something to be approached
reward
memory circuit mediating associations between biologic stimuli/drugs adn environmental cues
hippocampus
integrative structure important to formation of stimulus-reward associations
amygdala
Brain area critical for executive function in impulse control from destructive behavior
prefrontal cortex
impairment of this structure is an important mediator of loss of control
prefrontal cortex
orbitofrontal PFC involvement in pathway
regulating impulses
dorsolateral PFC involvement in reward system
analysis of situation
ventromedial PFC involvement in reward system
integration with emotions
