Outline BB rain Anatomy SS tructures and functions DD isorders caused by lesions CC omparative Anatomy BB rain Function CC ells in the brain HH ow brain cells communicate DD rugs on the Brain MM echanisms of action DD rug addiction

Or Lateral Sulcus Structural Anatomy

Functional Anatomy Executiv e Function Functional Areas of the Brain

Language WERNICKES AREA: LANGUAGE COMPREHENSION BROCA’S AREA: LANGUAGE PRODUCTION

Wernicke’s Aphasia

Broca’s Aphasia

Two Interconnected Hemispheres

Split-Brain Phenomenon

Internal Structures of the Brain

VENTRICULAR SYSTEM

Comparative Anatomy: Structure = Function Brain structure tells us a lot about how smart an organism is, how it interacts with the world, etc.

RAT BRAIN

CAT BRAIN

PIG BRAIN

MONKEY BRAIN

Neurons: Cellular Communicators DENDRITES NUCLEUS CELL BODY AXON MYELIN SHEATH AXON TERMINALS

 Electrical Signal  Action Potential  Chemical Signal  Neurotransmitter Release  Receptor Binding Neurons: Cellular Communicators

Neurons Form Networks

Action Potential

Drugs of Abuse How do drugs like nicotine and alcohol affect the brain? Why do these drugs produce a “high” while other drugs that act on the brain (such as asprin) don’t have this effect?

Drugs Hijack Brain Pathways (endogenous vs exogenous ligands)

Example: Dopamine Reward Pathway

Cocaine Increases “Reward” Signal

Mechanisms (Simplified) /drugs/mouse.html

What is tolerance?  Tolerance occurs when you are abusing a substance/drug and over time your sensitivity to that substance decreases.  Higher quantities of the substance/drug must be consumed in order to achieve the same effects as before.  For example, a person has to drink more alcohol to reach a “buzz” than when he/she started drinking for the first time.

What is physical dependence?  Dependent upon a substance/drug to have normal function.  Develop negative withdrawal symptoms when the substance/drug is no longer on board.  Withdrawal symptoms are basically the opposite of the drug effects  Withdrawal from stimulants: depression, lethargy  Withdrawal from depressants: anxiety, sleeplessness

What is a standard drink?

What is Moderate Drinking? WomenMen Moderate Drinking (“Low Risk”) Per Day 3 or less4 or less Moderate Drinking (“Low Risk”) Per Week No more than 7 drinks No more than 14 drinks  Heavy drinking would be considered consuming more than the daily amount or weekly amount listed in the table.

Alcohol Effects: Chronic Use Normal “Happy” Brain

Your brain wants to compensate Alcohol on the Brain

Your brain wants to compensate Alcohol Withdrawal

What is considered a binge?  Binge drinking is consuming so much alcohol that your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) reaches 0.08g/dl or higher within 2 hours.  For women: 4 drinks or more within 2 hours  For men: 5 drinks or more within 2 hours

Withdrawal symptoms increase in severity after multiple relapses

Alcoholism can cause loss of brain matter over time

Impaired Brain Activity in Alcohol Dependence

Questions?