brain and drugs
TRANSCRIPT
DO NOW-Have your drugs and the brain
note taking page and your brain.Read Meet your Incredible Brain
TAKE OUT YOUR NIDA INFOFACTSWith a partner answer and write the
following on the back of the half piece of paper:
• Define Addiction-• What are some common
stereotypes about addiction or about an addict?- What does a drug addict act like and look like?
Take out your NIDA Article and Questions
• Clear your desks.• Silently take the quiz on the article you read
last night.• When you are done turn it over on your desk.
Respond to the following questions• What is the “proverbial elephant in the living
room”• In what ways did William dispel the typical
perception of a drug addict?• Other than the circumstance described by William Cope Moyers, which
of the following would be an elephant in the living room type situation?– A) A child bringing home a good grade.– B) A woman with a black eye from her husband– C) A 45 year old man on crutches– D) A 16 year old who just got his learners permit
Neuron- main role is to process and transmit information
Neuron to Neuron Information Travel
Information gets passed through the terminals to reach its destination.
Dopamine is the neurotransmitter that deals with pleasure.
The Reward Pathway
Info. travels from the VTA to the N.A. Then up to the prefrontal cortex
Scientist located the structures important for the addictive nature of drugs
Rats will self-administer cocaine right into the N.A. or VTA to activate the reward pathway! Scientists also know how
the drugs work to produce rewarding effects
Motor Cortex
Cerebellum
OccipitalLobes
Posterior Parietal Cortex
Brain Stem
Hippocampus
Amygdala
Nucleus Accumbens
VTA
Prefrontal Cortex
Consequences, Planning
Heartbeat, breathing, digestion
Localization of Cocaine- “Binding Sites”
Cocaine concentrates in the reward center
It also concentrates in the caudate nucleus causing behaviors- nail-biting, pacing, scratching
Activation of Reward Pathway
The body eventually relies on cocaine to maintain rewarding feelings
Addict is no longer able to experience pleasurable feelings of natural rewards
FOOD
Water FUN
PET Scan- RED- shows the highest level of glucose utilization
YELLOW- lesser level of glucose utilization
BLUE- lowest level of glucose utilization
Glucose fuels the neurons
Localization of Opiate- “Binding Sites”
Thalamus
Reward CenterCaudate Nucleus
Activation of Reward Pathway
The body eventually relies on opiates to maintain rewarding feelings
Addict is no longer able to experience pleasurable feelings of natural rewards
FOOD
Water FUN
Addict can’t function normally with out the drug present
What areas of the brain is the THC effecting?
What is the effect of these interferences?
Localization of THC- “Binding Sites”
Activation of the Reward Pathway
Scientists still don’t know how the continued use of marijuana alters the reward system
All 3 drugs activate the reward pathway by increasing dopamine transmission
Can you think of any other drugs that probably activate the reward system in the same way?
QUESTION• You have an uncle who comments
that “all addicts are low-life losers.”• What would you say to your uncle to
completely educate him on the truth behind drug addiction. Be sure to include specific scientific evidence.