Week 2 - Substance Use Flashcards
What is the dopamine system involved in substance use?
Mesolimbic Dopamine System
Nucleus Accumbens NA
Ventral Tegmental Area VTA
What is physical dependence?
If you stop taking the drug it produces physiological withdrawal symptoms
What is psychological dependence?
Craving the drug during absinence
Why do dopamine antagonists not work for substance use?
Compliance
What neurotransmitter triggers cravings?
Glutamate
What does glutamate do in substace use disorders?
It is involved with learned associations with the drug-taking environment
Glutamate in NA = cravings
Anterior cingulate cortex and amygdala neurons contain glutamate which signals to neurons in the NA
What does N-acetylcysteine NAC do?
Regulates glutatamte for less cravings
How does methadone work?
Mu opiate receptor agonists
Binds to receptor for longer - reduces the ability for other drug to work
replacement therapy - daily or weekly syrup
Reduces heroin from acting at mu receptors
How does buprenophine work?
Partial agonist - binds to the receptors but has less efficacy than methadone
Better for compliance - injection lasts 2-3 weeks
How does Naxalone work?
Mu receptor antagonists - stops the effect of the drug
Used in ED
Compliance huge problem
What does acamprosate do for alcoholism?
Glutamate NMDA receptor antagonist
How does Nalaxone work for alcoholism?
Mu opiate receptor antagonist
blocks the effect of alcohol on mu receptors
How does disulfiram work?
Forces abstinence by making alcohol use very unpleasant - vomiting etc
used for detox
How does Bupropion work?
Dopamine re-uptake inhibitor
(anti - d)
How does Varenicline and Nicobrevin work?
Nicotine receptor partial agonist
Non smoking drops
