PSB-2000 Lecture 9: Drugs, Alcohol, and tolerance
Document Summary
Binds to opioid receptor and blocks them. Increases inhibition within nervous system: causes anti-anxiety and intoxicating effects: glutamate receptor antagonist, gaba receptor against, blood level of . 5% carries risk of death by respiratory depression, works on dopamine and opiate systems, including within the nucleus accumbens. This makes a reinforcement system in alcohol addiction. Gene for enzyme that breaks down dopamine in terminal after reuptake (comt- breaks down catecholamine"s) Meds to beat alcoholism: antabuse: blocks metabolism of alcohol so become sick if drink, naloxone- blocks opiate receptors so decreases pleasure of drinking alcohol, acamprosate: glutamate receptor antagonist; anticonvulsant. Protects against withdrawal seizures (withdrawal symptoms are usually whatever the drugs was suppressing) Dose-respond curve: drug effects depend in part on dose of drug. When one builds a tolerance, there is a shift in the dose response curve to the right. (needing more of the drugs for the desired effect. Inverse tolerance: takes less of the drugs of the desired effects.
