Neurobiology of love

Question 1

Endogenous opioid system

Answer 1

system of opioid receptors & their respective ligands

Question 2

Pain experience can be divided into 2 dissociable components

Answer 2

Sensory component: what, where, how intense
Affective/motivational component: the aversiveness of the experience & motivation to stop it

Question 3

u-opioid

Answer 3

receptors bind drugs like morphine & heroin

Question 4

brain opioid theory of social attachment

Answer 4

opioids mediate attachment through dual mechanisms

-declining levels of opioids during separation contribute to social pain
-increasing levels of opioids during reunion contribute to feelings of reward & comfort

Question 5

what is OPRM1 A118G linked to

Answer 5

variation in both physical pain sensitivity & rejection sensitivity

G allele: steeper declines in felt security when their partner behaved more coldly or hurtful towards them

Question 6

oxytoncin: prairie voles vs montane volves

Answer 6

prairie volves have higher density of oxytocin receptors in regions related to reward & reinforcement compared to montane volves.

facilitates partner bonding, attachment!

Question 7

activation of which area when voew photos of loved and familiar acquaintance

Answer 7

Ventral Tegmental Area

Question 8

what is dopamine linked to

Answer 8

motivation to pursue rewards

“Drug wanting” not “drug liking”

Question 9

what is oxytocin related to

Answer 9

Increase salience of social signals

Question 10

what are opioids related to

Answer 10

feelings of reward & satiety