Addiction Pharmacology Flashcards
Where is DA released in substance abuse?
PFC
What is the normal purpose of DA in the pre-frontal cortex?
Reward pro-survival behaviour
What are the different forms of cocaine and how are they consumed?
HCL - soluble. Can be injected or snorted.
Crack - insoluble. Forms volatile gas on heating to can be smoked
Outline the progression of TV drug use
Sharp rise to the peak concentration so get a “rush”
And then quick metabolism
Compare nasal ingestion of substance to IV
Nasal slower to reach a peak concentration so less “rush”
But also slower to metabolise so the effect lasts longer
How does cocaine prevent DA uptake?
Binds to the specific DA transporter on the presynaptic membrane in the striatum
It has a high affinity and so stops DA being take up
How does amphetamine get into the neuron/vesicle?
Via VMAT transporter
This is a DA transporter
Where are nicotine receptors located?
On the cell body and in the synapse
Outline the effect of ethanol
Inhibits excitatory NMDAR activity and increases GABA
What is the legal limit of blood alcohol level to drive?
0.05%
Roughly what blood alcohol level does binge drinking cause?
0.2%
Which enzymes metabolise ethanol?
Alcohol dehydrogenase and p450s
Which type of tolerance forms in alcoholism?
Metabolic/pharmacokinetic
What is the action of disulfiram?
Inhibits acetaldehyde dehydrogenase
This causes hangover side effects to stay
How might disulfiram induce liver damage?
Drinking on this will cause increased levels of acetaldehyde dehydrogenase
This compound damages the liver
