PSY 201 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Brainstem, Primary Sensory Areas, Basal Ganglia

• School: University of Oregon
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSY 201
• Professor: Magaret Sereno

Document Summary

If voltage increases to threshold value, action potential occurs. Agonists: increase the release of the neurotransmitters, can block the reuptake of neurotransmitters. Antagonist: block the release of neurotransmitters, can destroy neurotransmitters in the synapse. These regions are normally active during any pleasurable event. Cause increase in activity in reward circuits (basal ganglia & limbic system) Drugs cause a huge increase in release and effects of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Behavior is guided towards rewarding experiences, leading to additional award, causes the user to desire for the uplifting feeling of the drug. Even cues associated with the experiences triggers cravings & behaviors to attain that experience again. Decrease in dopamine production & decrease activation in these circuits & impaired cognitive abilities (memory, judgement & motor control) Correlated firing of a pre- and post- synaptic cell strengthens the synapse between them so that ( :( ) Basis for long-term memories, associative memories, also essential for the normal development of sensory systems.