33 Questions
What do potentially addictive drugs share in terms of their ability?
They produce long-lasting adaptations in neuronal systems
Which brain systems are involved in the process of incentive motivation and reward?
The brain systems that change due to addictive drugs
What is the effect of addiction on brain reward systems?
It makes these brain reward systems more sensitive to drugs and drug-associated stimuli
What is an example of locomotor sensitization associated with addictive drugs?
Hyperactivity
What happens to the brain's response to reward predicting cues in addiction?
It becomes more sensitive to reward predicting cues
What is the effect of repeated exposure to morphine on anticipatory response to sexual encounter/cues?
It facilitates anticipatory response to sexual encounter/cues
What component of reward do the sensitized brain systems NOT mediate?
The 'pleasure'/'euphoria' component of reward ('liking')
What is the main view regarding the relationship between poor decision making and addiction?
Poor decision making leads to addiction
What happens to dopamine (DA) receptors and release with repeated exposure to drugs?
DA receptors are down-regulated and DA release is reduced
What is the impact of repeated exposure to drugs on the strength of input/output of saliency and response inhibition?
Increases strength of input/output of saliency and reduces response inhibition
What is the effect of photoactivation of prelimbic cortex pyramidal neurons in shock resistant rats?
Suppresses compulsive cocaine seeking
What happens when yellow light is activated to inhibit prelimbic cortex pyramidal neurons in shock sensitive rats?
Rats completely stop drug seeking behavior
What is the role of mPFC neurons in animals trained to self-administer cocaine?
Creates very high level of response
What is the impact of reduced reward sensitivity and prefrontal cortex dysfunction according to Volkow?
Critical for drug reward and development of drug addiction
What is the effect of repeated exposure to drugs on the strength of input/output of saliency?
Increases strength of input/output of saliency
What do the findings of Chen et al. (2013) suggest about PFC neurons in relation to cocaine seeking behavior?
Animals identified as sensitive or resistant show different neuronal responses
What is the role of dopamine (DA) in reward processing according to the text?
Mediates 'wanting' but not 'liking' responses
What is the effect of chronic exposure to psychostimulants on dopamine (DA) release according to the text?
Results in increased DA release in the striatum even a year after the last drug treatment
What is the consequence of repeated drug exposure according to the text?
Induces hypersensitivity to drug-associated stimuli, increasing their salience and attractiveness
What is the effect of cocaine sensitization according to the text?
Increases the conditioned reinforcing effects of a cocaine-associated stimulus in animals
What is the impact of sensitization of incentive salience according to the text?
Causes a bias in attention towards drug-associated cues and a pathological motivation for drug-taking
What is the PET study with raclopride in humans mentioned in the text?
Showed that repeated drug experience sensitizes the DA system, leading to greater DA release in response to drug-associated cues
What is the response of cocaine-dependent subjects after a drug challenge according to the text?
Show stronger craving but lower high compared to controls, indicating increased incentive salience but not increased liking
What is the role of dopamine (DA) according to the text?
DA underlies euphoria, which modulates wanting
What is the function of the amygdala-striatum pathway?
Links a stimulus to affective/emotional properties
What does damage to the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) result in?
Impaired reflective system and/or overdrive of impulsive system
What is the Iowa Gambling Test used for?
Assessing decision-making abilities in addicts and vmPFC patients
What is the role of the impulsive system according to Bechara's model?
Associates cues with affective properties and drives impulsive behavior
Match the following brain regions/neurons with their role in drug addiction:
vmPFC = Not fully developed until mid-20s Prefrontal cortex (PFC) = Associated with dysfunction in the PFC Prelimbic cortex pyramidal neurons = Suppresses compulsive cocaine seeking in shock resistant rats Dopamine (DA) release and receptors = Critical for the drug reward and development of drug addiction
Match the following experimental manipulations with their effect on drug-seeking behavior in rats:
Blue light activation of prelimbic cortex pyramidal neurons = Decreases drug-seeking behavior Yellow light activation of prelimbic cortex pyramidal neurons = Increases drug-seeking behavior Methylphenidate (DA-R antagonist) = Reduces DA release in alcoholics Repeated cocaine self-administration = Results in compulsive drug-taking in some rats
Match the following terms with their associated concepts:
Impaired Response Inhibition and Salience Attribution (iRISA) syndrome = Associated with dysfunction in the PFC Innate compulsive trait = Role of PFC neurons in cocaine seeking behavior Balance between impulsive vs reflective system = Tilted more in younger adults Reward sensitivity = Reduced in drug addiction
Match the following effects with their related changes in the brain due to repeated drug exposure:
Reduction in DAd2-R in the striatum = Result of repeated exposure to drugs Changes in the DA system = Seem to go together with reduced activity in the OFC Thicker neurons in the PFC = Associated with increased saliency Increased input/output of saliency and reduced response inhibition = Result of repeated exposure to drugs
Match the following findings with their associated studies:
Chen et al. (2013) = Identified rats resistant and sensitive to shock Volkow's study = Associated with reduced reward sensitivity and prefrontal cortex dysfunction Photoactivation study = Suppressed compulsive cocaine seeking in shock resistant rats Halorodopsin study = Made sensitive rats into resistant rats
Study Notes
Incentive Salience and Dopamine's Role in Reward Processing
- The incentive-salience hypothesis states that rewards have both affective (liking) and motivational (wanting) consequences.
- Dopamine (DA) activation or suppression does not affect "liking" responses in animals and humans, but mediates "wanting".
- DA long-term manipulation using a diet APTD (acute phenylalanine/tyrosine depleted) resulted in lower baseline DA and lower wanting, but no difference in liking.
- Repeated drug exposure induces hypersensitivity to drug-associated stimuli, increasing their salience and attractiveness, leading to pathological motivation to take drugs.
- Sensitization of incentive salience causes a bias in attention towards drug-associated cues and a pathological motivation for drug-taking, modulated by DA.
- Cocaine sensitization increases the conditioned reinforcing effects of a cocaine-associated stimulus in animals.
- PET studies with raclopride in humans showed that repeated drug experience sensitizes the DA system, leading to greater DA release in response to drug-associated cues.
- Chronic exposure to psychostimulants results in increased DA release in the striatum even a year after the last drug treatment, without an increase in liking and desire.
- Addicts exhibit attentional bias towards drug-related stimuli, as demonstrated by shorter latency for drug-related cues in heavy users of alcohol and cannabis.
- Cocaine-dependent subjects show stronger craving but lower high compared to controls after a drug challenge, indicating increased incentive salience but not increased liking.
- The cues associated with drug effects give high incentive salience through the incentive sensitization procedure, but the drug is not liked more.
- The findings highlight the role of dopamine in mediating "wanting" and sensitizing incentive salience, leading to pathological motivation for drug-taking.
Test your knowledge of incentive salience and the role of dopamine in reward processing with this quiz. Explore the impact of dopamine on "wanting" and "liking" responses, as well as the sensitization of incentive salience in relation to drug addiction.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
