reward and addiction in the brain Flashcards
what 3 components compromised dependency syndrome(addiction)?
-tolerance
-dependence
-withdrawal
what are the 3 reward circuitry links in dopaminergic pathways linking?
1.ventral tegmental area
2.nucleus accumbens
3.cortical and limbic areas
what is dependency syndrome described as ?
relapsing-remitting disorder
what is relapsing-remitting disorder?
comprising behaviours that are performed in a compulsive manner, in spite of the potential for self-harm
Dependence
reliance on a substance or behaviour and many think that this is synonymous with addiction
what can 2 things can dependence be categorised by?
1.psychological dependence
2.physical dependence
tolerance(basic chemical approach)
describes the requirement for increasing amount of drug/behaviour to elicit the same level of positive reinforcement (‘high’) as that experience during previousexposures to the substance/behaviour
what happens during tolerance , the first time someone takes a drug?
1.firstly theres a positive effect of the drug when you take it the first time
2.then it will go down -where there could be a little negative effect as an individual comes of the drug
3.then it goes back to normal
what 3 forms does tolerance take?
1.acute
2.chronic
3.learned
Acute(or short-term
tolerance is usually caused by repeated exposure to a drug over a relatively short period of time, e.g. repeatedly using cocaine over a single night results in a rapid decrease in the ‘highs’ perceived
Chronic (or long-term
tolerance develops as a result of constant exposure to a substance over a prolonged period of time, e.g. prescription opioid use that over weeks or months can lead to increasing doses needed
Learned
results from frequent exposure to substances that become integrated into the normal behavioural routines, e.g. some people who abuse alcohol often seem unaffected by the substance (the so-called ‘high-functioning’ people in lay terms), learning to compensate for the effects of alcohol over time.
Withdrawal
describes the effects of removal of subject of dependence. It is different from the rebound dip in mood/behaviour often called the ‘crash’ that occurs immediately followingwear-off of the positive effects of the drug/behaviour
2 types of withdrawal linked to dependence?
1.physical
2.psychological
Drug-seeking/Craving behaviours
the anticipation of obtaining/taking a drug prior to its use.
Binging/intoxication behaviours
broadly covers taking the substance, the ‘highs’ and also includes issues of tolerance and dependence
Withdrawal behaviours
negative effects of removal of the dependent substance.
how does dependency develop ?
Intoxication activates the reward pathways:
Nucleus accumbens/ventral striatum