PSY1BNA week 8

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary focus of neurochemistry?

The study of compounds that selectively affect the nervous system

The basic chemical composition and processes of the nervous system (correct)

The development of antipsychotic and anxiolytic medications

The effects of recreational drugs on synaptic transmission

What is the term for the study of compounds that selectively affect the nervous system?

Neuropharmacology (correct)

Neurochemistry

Psychopharmacology

Pharmacology

What is the primary effect of anandamide on pain sensitivity?

Varies depending on the context

Reduces it (correct)

Increases it

Has no impact on it

What is the potential consequence of using marijuana in adolescence?

Increased risk of psychosis in adulthood Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mechanism of nicotine's rewarding effects?

Activating nicotinic ACh receptors in the ventral tegmental area Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary effect of khat on the nervous system?

Increases nervous system activity Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary effect of cocaine on hunger?

Decreases hunger Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary effect of chronic marijuana use on cognitive function?

Leads to cognitive decline Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mechanism of action of tricyclic antidepressants?

Blockading the reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin into presynaptic axon terminals Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of benzodiazepines on GABA receptors?

They enhance the inhibitory effects of GABA Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary feature of antidepressants?

Prolonging the activity of monoamines at the synapses Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of anxiolytics?

Combating anxiety Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of opium and its derivatives on the body?

They are effective analgesics, or painkillers Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of benzodiazepines that differentiates them from other GABA receptor ligands?

They are synthetic compounds that bind to an orphan receptor Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mechanism of action of Antabuse in treating alcohol addiction?

Altering the metabolism of the abused drug Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a treatment approach for drug abuse?

Surgery to remove the addictive drug Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of vaccination in treating drug abuse?

To prompt the immune system to reject and remove targeted drugs Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a common health problem?

Substance abuse and addiction Signup and view all the answers

What determines the effects of a drug?

Site of action and dose Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mechanism of action of agonist or partial agonist analogs?

Partially activating the same pathways as the addictive drug Signup and view all the answers

What brain region is involved in the reward pathway and is stimulated by addictive drugs?

Nucleus accumbens Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the ventral tegmental area (VTA) in the context of addiction?

It is the origin of axons that terminate in the nucleus accumbens. Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of damage to the insula on smoking?

It makes it easier to quit smoking. Signup and view all the answers

What is the mechanism by which environmental stimuli can contribute to drug use?

Environmental stimuli become associated with the effects of drugs. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a biological factor that contributes to susceptibility to addiction?

Genetic predisposition Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Addiction and Substance Abuse

Addiction is more severe than substance abuse, which does not fully meet dependence criteria.
Dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens is linked to addiction; this region is part of the brain's reward pathway.
The ventral tegmental area (VTA) provides axons that influence this reward system.
Damage to the insula, another region in the frontal cortex, can lead to effortless cessation of smoking.
VTA and insula communicate reciprocally to mediate addiction.

Factors Influencing Addiction Susceptibility

Biological factors include sex and genetic predisposition.
Family situations, such as family breakup and sibling drug use, contribute to addiction risk.
Personal characteristics, including aggressiveness and emotional control, play a role in vulnerability.
Environmental factors like peer pressure can influence drug use.
Environmental stimuli linked with past drug use can trigger cue-induced drug consumption.

Neuropharmacology Overview

Neuropharmacology studies compounds affecting the nervous system's functioning.
Anandamide, an endocannabinoid, affects memory, appetite, pain sensitivity, blood pressure, and more.
Chronic marijuana use can cause transient amnesia, respiratory issues, cognitive decline, and psychiatric disorders.

Stimulants and Their Effects

Stimulants increase nervous system activity and include substances like amphetamine, nicotine, caffeine, and cocaine.
Khat, an African shrub, has stimulant properties due to cathinones released during chewing.
Nicotine raises heart rate, blood pressure, and activates nicotinic ACh receptors, occupying a high percentage of these receptors in the brain.

Major Drug Categories

Cocaine, derived from coca leaves, enhances well-being and reduces hunger.
Antipsychotics, such as clozapine, target glutamate synapses to treat conditions.
Antidepressants include monoamine oxidase inhibitors and SSRIs, which prolong monoamine activity at synapses.

Anxiolytics and Recovery Options

Anxiolytics reduce anxiety and act as depressants, enhancing GABA effects via receptors.
Opioids like morphine and heroin are effective analgesics but highly addictive.
Treatments for drug abuse can involve easing withdrawal symptoms with benzodiazepines and providing alternatives to addictive substances.

Innovative Treatment Approaches

Behavioral strategies can include methods that block the actions of drugs and alter their metabolism.
Antabuse creates unpleasant reactions to alcohol, discouraging use.
Vaccination might help the immune system eliminate targeted drugs.

Key Takeaways

Drug effects depend on their site of action, dosage, and the individual’s neurochemistry.
Substance abuse and addiction are significant health issues requiring comprehensive understanding for effective treatment.

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Description

Test your knowledge of basic neuropharmacology, including binding affinity, efficacy, and dose response, as well as the effects of antipsychotic, antidepressant, and anxiolytic drugs. This quiz covers key concepts from La Trobe University's PSY1BNA Lecture 8.