psych 127b lecture 11

Question 1

What is the GABA channel

Answer 1

an inhibitory ligand gated GABA chlorine channel

Question 2

what allosteric ligands bind to the GABA channels

Answer 2

barbituates, benzodiazepines, alcohol, and neurosteroids

Question 3

what are barbituates

Answer 3

-GABA-A/possibly glutamate agonist
-nonspecific inhibitory effect
-results in physical and psychological dependence (high abuse potential)

Question 4

benzodiazepines

Answer 4

-allosteric effect less strong than barbituates
-GABA agonist
-anxiolytic (muscle relaxant)
-roofies are benzodiazepines

Question 5

why is rohypnol (roofie) so powerful with alcohol

Answer 5

rohypnol and alcohol both act as GABA agonists (both amplify eachother)

Question 6

alcohol

Answer 6

-also a GABA agonist, rapidly absorbed from GI tract, very permeable to the BBB, max. absorption at 30-90min
-metabolized in stomach and liver
-also an NMDA (glutamate) antagonist

Question 7

ADH gene

Answer 7

genes which code for proteins in the liver and stomach which breaks down alcohol (women have less)

Question 8

ALDH gene

Answer 8

-codes for the acetaldehyde enzyme (metabolite of alcohol)
- certain ALDH2 alleles mean this enzyme is inactive
-this is protective against alcoholism bc it causes unpleasant alcohol side effects

Question 9

how does alcohol affect receptors long term

Answer 9

GABA receptors decrease sensitivity and NMDA receptors become more active (increased alcohol threshold and increased sensitivity to excitation)

Question 10

where are CB1 cannibinoid receptors found

Answer 10

-on the prefrontal cortex region responsible for executive functioning
-works on the endocannibinoid system responsible for brain development (including during adolescence)

Question 11

what are symptoms of marijuana withdrawal

Answer 11

irritability, anger, depression, lack of appetite

Question 12

what are examples of opiates

Answer 12

morphine, vicodin, oxycodone, fentanyl, opium, heroin

Question 13

what are the effects of opiates

Answer 13

analgesia, euphoria, drowsiness, slowed breathing, used for pain management post-surgery

Question 14

dsm criteria for substance abuse disorders

Answer 14

impaired control, social impairment, risky use, and pharmacological impairment

Question 15

sampling

Answer 15

-likeliness of a person to try a particular drug
-depends on availability, co-morbidity with other psychiatric disorders, experience with other substances, risk-taking tendencies

Question 16

two main influencers of sampling

Answer 16

-genetic variation in dopamine receptors
-social variation

Question 17

liking

Answer 17

-reinforced stimulus effects support the instrumental act to consume the drug again
-mediated by dopamine
-

Question 18

positive reinforcement

Answer 18

when a drug has a positive effect which makes you want to do it again

Question 19

negative reinforcement

Answer 19

when a drug alleviates negative things which makes you want to do it again

Question 20

reward-deficiency syndrome

Answer 20

-hyposensitivity to reward
-underactive dopamine reward system

Question 21

what are the three causes of reward-deficiency syndrome

Answer 21

-drug use
-cessation of drug use
-genetics

-any of these three can result in drug seeking

Question 22

what causes positive reinforcement in amphetamine/methamphetamine

Answer 22

amphetamine/methamphetamine: stimulates dopamine terminal vesicles to release more dopamine

Question 23

what causes positive reinforcement in cocaine

Answer 23

inhibits reuptake of dopamine

Question 24

nicotine/weed/morphine

Answer 24

stimulates dopaminergic neurons more frequently

Question 25

nicotine/weed/morphine

Answer 25

stimulates dopaminergic neurons more frequently

Question 26

wanting

Answer 26

stimuli associated w drug intake provokes the desire for drugs and facilitates the act of drug taking

Question 27

what causes the transition from liking to wanting

Answer 27

escalation of intake over time
-results in habitual use related to certain stimuli
-neuronal changes resulting in decreased tolerance
-behavioral changes also resulting in increased tolerance

Question 28

needing

Answer 28

-physical dependence which results in a somatic state supporting avoidance behaviors

Question 29

metabolic tolerance

Answer 29

-develops when continuous exposure results in the production of more liver enzymes to break down the drug

Question 30

pharmacodynamic tolerance

Answer 30

occurs when receptors in the brain adapt to the presence of the drug via downregulation

Question 31

physiological dependence

Answer 31

the development of tolerance to a substance or the presence of withdrawel when they stop taking that substance abruptly

Question 32

psychological dependence

Answer 32

forceful, subjective urges to use substances often as a means of relieving negative mood states such as craving, irritability, insomnia, depression, or anorexia

Question 33

how can genes affect addiction

Answer 33

-by altering the mechanisms of the drug, inhibiting the drug, or affecting the likeliness of an individual to take risks

Question 34

what is agonist substitution

Answer 34

when you give a person with a dependence on a certain drug a similar drug with less harmful effects

Question 34

what is agonist substitution

Answer 34

when you give a person with a dependence on a certain drug a similar drug with less harmful effects (ex. methadone)

Question 35

antagonists

Answer 35

blocks the effects of a drug (ex. naltrexone-opiate antagonist)

Question 36

aversive treatment

Answer 36

-“counter conditioning”
-makes the use of drugs very unpleasant
-high relapse potential
-ex. antabuse for alcoholism

Question 37

subjunctive medication

Answer 37

-treats the symptoms of withdrawal ex. benzos for anxiety or wellbutrin for nicotine cravings

Question 38

what are psychosocial treatments of addiction

Answer 38

-inpatient facilities, alcoholics/narcotics anonymous, controlled usage/moderation management, relapse prevention, prevention