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

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

Study Notes

Stages of Addiction and Underlying Circuitry

Binge/Intoxication Stage:
- Reward Pathway: The basal ganglia (striatum) are activated. Initial drug exposure releases dopamine.
- Incentive Salience: Drug use forms associations between drugs and cues predicting their availability, leading to habit formation in the basal ganglia. Dopamine is later released in response to these cues, not the drug itself.
Withdrawal/Negative Affect Stage:
- Limbic System (Amygdala): Activation of the amygdala underlies negative mood.
- Stress System (HPA Axis): The stress system is activated, increasing negative feelings. The reward pathway becomes less responsive to normal rewards.
Preoccupation/Anticipation Stage:
- Prefrontal Cortex (PFC): Impaired decision-making, driven by hypofrontality linked to drug use, leading to desensitization of PFC to natural rewards but increased sensitivity to drug cues.
- Insula: The insula is highly sensitive to cravings (interoception).
- Basal Ganglia: The basal ganglia's "autopilot" for habits remains active.
- Stress System (HPA Axis): The stress response remains elevated.
Reward Deficiency?
- Fewer D2 receptors potentially link to increased pleasure from stimulants.

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Description

Explore the intricate stages of addiction through the lens of brain circuitry. This quiz delves into the binge/intoxication, withdrawal/negative affect, and preoccupation/anticipation stages, highlighting the specific brain areas involved. Test your knowledge of how these stages impact behavior and decision-making in addiction.