Stages of Addiction and Brain Circuitry

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Questions and Answers

Which brain area is primarily involved in the preoccupation/anticipation stage of addiction?

Basal Ganglia
Prefrontal Cortex (correct)
Limbic System
Hippocampus

In the binge/intoxication stage of addiction, dopamine is released mainly due to cues rather than the drug itself.

True (A)

What is the 'anti-reward' mechanism in the withdrawal stage of addiction?

The activation of brain stress systems and the amygdala leading to increased negative mood.

The ____ system is critical in the regulation of stress response during addiction.

HPA axis Signup and view all the answers

Match the stages of addiction with their corresponding brain areas:

Binge/Intoxication Stage = Basal Ganglia Withdrawal/Negative Affect Stage = Limbic System (Amygdala) Preoccupation/Anticipation Stage = Prefrontal Cortex Stress System Activation = HPA axis Signup and view all the answers

Match the following antidepressants with their primary use or characteristics:

Duloxetine = Treats chronic neuropathic pain Selegiline = Transdermal patch for treatment-resistant patients Venlafaxine = Targets serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake Desvenlafaxine = Active metabolite of Venlafaxine Signup and view all the answers

Match the following opioids with their characteristics:

Morphine = Targets Mu receptors; pure agonist Naloxone = Used to reverse overdose; pure antagonist Buprenorphine = Partial Mu agonist with limited abuse potential Pentazocine = Analgesic with dysphoric effects; weak Mu antagonist Signup and view all the answers

Match the sleep aids with their mechanisms:

Ramelton = Melatonin agonist Suvorexant = Orexin receptor antagonist Caffeine = Adenosine receptor antagonist Zaleplon = Z-drug with a half-hour duration Signup and view all the answers

Match the following psychedelics with their primary effects:

Scopolamine = Anticholinergic sedative LSD = Visual and auditory distortion MDMA = Enhanced communication and empathy Psilocybin = Chemical similarity to serotonin Signup and view all the answers

Match the following substances related to cannabis with their roles:

Rimonabant = Cannabinoid antagonist that suppresses appetite Carboxy THC = Identifies THC in urine tests THC = Psychoactive component of cannabis CBD = Non-psychoactive component with therapeutic effects Signup and view all the answers

Match the following treatments for alcohol use disorder:

Disulfiram = Prevents relapse by causing unpleasant effects Naltrexone = Prevents relapse Diazepam = Prevents withdrawal seizures Lamotrigine = Anticonvulsant for withdrawal management Signup and view all the answers

Match the following addiction-related components with their interventions:

Naloxone = Heroin antagonist Methadone = Heroin agonist Nicotine patches = Cigarette alternative Varenicline = Partial nicotine agonist for smoking cessation Signup and view all the answers

Match the following medications to their effects on pain management:

Gabapentin = Decreases nociceptor excitation Tramadol = Mixed agonist for pain relief Opioids = Decrease neurotransmitter release by nociceptors Antidepressants = Activate anti-pain pathways Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Binge/Intoxication Stage

The initial stage of addiction where drug use causes dopamine release in the reward pathway. Drug-cue associations form, leading to habit formation and cue-driven dopamine release.

Withdrawal/Negative Affect Stage

A stage of addiction where the brain's reward pathway desensitizes, and stress and negative mood increase due to activated brain stress systems.

Preoccupation/Anticipation Stage

In this stage, the brain's executive functions, like decision-making, weaken. The prefrontal cortex is more reactive to drug cues while less responsive to natural rewards.