cocaine

Question 1

what is cocaine

Answer 1

white, crystelline powder derived from coca leaves
- small irregular shaped white rocks

Question 2

methods of ingestion

Answer 2

• snorting - rock is ground up - inhaled - 15-30 minutes - leads to binging
• smoke - last 5-10 minutes
• inject - dilute in water

Question 3

behavioural effects of cocaine

Answer 3

• euphoria
• enjoyment
• insomnia
• restlessness
• depression
• compulsive motor behaviours
• appetite suppressent
• social implication
• financial implications
• short term memory
• decision making abilities

Question 4

original formula of cocaine

Answer 4

coca cola originally contained cocaine derived from coca leaves

Question 5

removal of cocaine

Answer 5

1904 - coca coal used de-cocainized coca leaves

Question 6

what neurotransmitters are involved

Answer 6

cocaine inhibits transporter to increase synaptic levels
- dopamine
- sodium
- 5-HT
- can also block nerve conduction by inhibition NA+ channels, local anaesthetic

Question 7

neural mechanisms of cocaine

Answer 7

• dopamine reuptake transporters are blocked by cocaine, this results in increased dopamine in the synaptic cleft, leading to behavioural symptoms of cocaine use

Question 8

neurotransmitters and behaviour

Answer 8

• increased dopamine in synaptic cleft leads to euphoria
• after DA leaves - inverse - low moods - drives craving
• leads to cocaine binges to keep euphoric feeling

Question 9

how does cocaine impact the sympathetic nervous system

Answer 9

• high and rush
• but also vasoconstriction, hypertension
• stroke or intracranial haemorrhage

Question 10

what are the main pathways in cocaine

Answer 10

• nucleus accumbens -key role in motivation, reward, and decision making

Question 11

what did staton and solomon find about the nucleus accumbens role in cocaine in 1984

Answer 11

• microinjections to nucleus accumbens leads to cocaine symptoms e.g. increase locomotor activity
• lesions in these pathways mean no symptoms

Question 12

chronic use - behavioural

Answer 12

• restlessness
• confusion and disorientation
• paranoia and irritability
• insomnia
• social withdrawal

Question 13

chronic use - physical

Answer 13

• heart damage
• blood clots
• lung disease
• sinus damage
• organ stress

Question 14

neurological damage

Answer 14

• reduced grey matter volume - affecting decision making and poor memory
• white matter damage - slower cognitive performance
• shrinkage of prefrontal cortex - increase desire for reward but reduce impulse control

Question 15

what did inada et al 1992 find about chronic vs recreational use and tolerance

Answer 15

• cocaine injected every 35 mins for 11 days in rats
• initial impulses/peak - increase locomotor behaviours - highs
• after 35 mins - rapid tolerance - behaviours decreasing

Question 16

long term effects on the brain

Answer 16

• addicted - decreased activity - not as much reward
• free from substance to number of months - can go back to normal reward system

Question 17

treatment strategies - pharmacological

Answer 17

• anti-depressants - prevents reuptake of serotonin but allowing dopamine reuptake
• dopamine based substances that can reduce euphoric effects of cocaine or reduce cravings
• immunisation - block dopamine reuptake so indulging in cocaine doesn’t have additional benefits

Question 18

treatment strategies - behavioural

Answer 18

• contingency management - reward based system - abstinence from cocaine means rewarded
• CBT - develop skills to recognise and avoid triggers, teaches coping mechanisms
• therapeutic communities - drug free residences where individuals support each other