Stimulants and Synthetics - Piasecki Flashcards
what are the common stimulants?
Cocaine
meth
ecstasy
Abuse of Rx mes like ritalin
what are the physical findings in stimulant abuse?
eyes
vital signs
behavioral findings
what are the findings of the eyes that you see in stimulants?
dilated pupils
nystagmus; vertical, horizontal, or rotary
food raises dopamine by what percent of baseline?
150%
sex raises dopamine by what percent of baseline?
200%
amphetamine raises dopamine by what percent of baseline?
1050%
cocaine raises dopamine by what percent of baseline?
350%
Nicotine raises dopamine by what percent of baseline?
225%
alcohol raises dopamine by what percent of baseline?
200%
where in the brain do drugs raise dopamine levels?
nucleus accumbens
What are the chronic effects of drug use?
intracellular and structural brain changes and long lasting behavioral changes
what are the structural changes to the brain post meth use?
decreased gray matter
decreased volume
increased white matter
what are some of the behavioral changes of chronic meth use?
cognition and mood
judgment
craving
what happens to DA and 5-HT levels during withdrawal?
they drop below normal baseline
what are the brain function changes that occur with chronic drug use?
executive functioning Neurocognitive changes - at times deficits in: memory impulse control information processing motor skills
what cognitive tests are used to assess function?
mental flexibility
logical abilities
learning
memory
what types of executive function deficits were seen in SUD pts at intake?
attention cognitive flexibility working memory problem-solving organization
What types of learning disabilities do pts with SUD have?
in order:
math
reading
writing
Besides executive function and learning deficits, what other issues do SUD pts have?
visual-spatial/organizational
language
memory
regional brain dysfunction post meth use relates to what psychiatric sx?
depression
what areas of the brain are dysfunctional after meth use that leads to depression?
- pregenual anterior cingulate cortex
- infragenual anterior cingulate cortex
- Amygdala
- inferior frontal gyrus
what are the old school designer drugs?
opioids
hallucinogens
anabolic steroids
What are the new wave designer drugs?
stimulants, aka MDPV
synthetic cannabinoids (SPICE)
NBOMe
what was the first synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist?
HU-210
What are the uses of Nabilone and Dronabinol?
nausea following chemo
What is the common acronym for spice?
JWH
t/f: spice/k2 is physically addicting
true
t/f: one time use of spice has lead to death
true
what is the common name of MDPV?
bath salts
how does one take bath salts?
like or meth snort smoke inject swallow in water
what are some of the major effects of Spice?
visual/auditory hallucinations
what are some of the major effects of bath salts?
extreme energy
extreme paranoia
high body temperature
