NEUR3002 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Disulfiram, Tegmentum, Blood Sugar
The Addicted Brain: Addiction
1. Drugs of Addiction
-Psychostimulants
Cocaine, amphetamines, MDMA block monoamine transporters (DA, 5HT, NA)
-Opioids
Opium, morphine, heroin Opioid receptor agonists mimic endogenous opioids (endorphins, enkephalins)
-Cannabinoids
Cannabis Cannabinoid receptor agonists mimic endogenous cannabinoids (anandamine etc.)
-Nicotine (Precisely targeted)
nicotinic acetylecholine receptors mood↑, anxiety↓, appetite↓
-Alcohol (Non-precisely targeted)
Targets NMDA, Kainate, glu-Rs, GABA, K+ channels etc. mood↑, anxiety↓, sedation, ataxia
2. The Downward Spiral of Addiction
2.1. Drug Use
Most commonly used in Australia: Cannabis, amphetamines, painkillers, ecstasy, cocaine
Most commonly used in US: Marijuana (rising), cocaine (controlled)
2.2. Substance Misuse
Recurrent use + failure to fulfil role obligations daily (work, school, home)
Recurrent use in hazardous situations
Recurrent substance-related legal problems
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Continued use despite persistent social interpersonal problems
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2.3. Substance Dependence
1. Tolerance
2. Withdrawal
3. Use increase (despite intent)
4. Unsuccessful persistent desire to stop
5. Much time spent to obtain/ recover from drug
6. Activities given up/ reduced
7. Persistent use despite known harm
8. 3 or more symptoms in the past year
2.4. Addiction Compulsive Dependence
Compulsion: excessive, uncontrolled use
Withdrawal: cluster of symptoms when drug withheld after period of continuous use
Relapse: drug-taking resumes after long abstinence (life-changing event e.g. stress)
find more resources at oneclass.com
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Document Summary
The addicted brain: addiction: drugs of addiction. Cocaine, amphetamines, mdma block monoamine transporters (da, 5ht, na) Opium, morphine, heroin opioid receptor agonists mimic endogenous opioids (endorphins, enkephalins) Cannabis cannabinoid receptor agonists mimic endogenous cannabinoids (anandamine etc. ) Targets nmda, kainate, glu-rs, gaba, k+ channels etc. Mood , anxiety , sedation, ataxia: the downward spiral of addiction. Most commonly used in australia: cannabis, amphetamines, painkillers, ecstasy, cocaine. Most commonly used in us: marijuana (rising), cocaine (controlled) Recurrent use + failure to fulfil role obligations daily (work, school, home) 2. 3: tolerance, withdrawal, use increase (despite intent, unsuccessful persistent desire to stop, much time spent to obtain/ recover from drug, activities given up/ reduced, persistent use despite known harm, 3 or more symptoms in the past year. Withdrawal: cluster of symptoms when drug withheld after period of continuous use. Relapse: drug-taking resumes after long abstinence (life-changing event e. g. stress) Stimuli: unconditioned (response to drug, withdrawal symptoms) vs conditioned (response to cues)
