Neuro Unit 5: How do our choices change our brains? Unit 5.2: Drugs of abuse alter synaptic transmission
Do Now: Addictive drugs increase synaptic transmission in the reward pathway. Brainstorms ways that drugs could increase synaptic signaling.
The Brain’s Reward Circuit Human Brain Rat Brain PFC NAc VTA
The Brain’s Reward Circuit Prefrontal Cortex VTA NAc
Synaptic Transmission 2. Voltage-gated Ca2+ channels open. Ca2+ flows into cell 3. Ca2+ sensitive proteins fuse synaptic vesicles to membrane, releasing dopamine into synaptic cleft 4. Dopamine binds to postsynaptic receptors. Ca2+ 1. Action Potential in VTA Dopamine 6. Excess dopamine is pumped back into presynaptic cell. 5. Ion channels open on postsynaptic membrane, allowing ions to flow into cell.
How do drugs of abuse alter synaptic transmission???
The Reward Pathway Inhibitory Neuron Prefrontal Cortex VTA NAc
VTA NAc Inhibitory Neuron Prefrontal Cortex Alcohol Heroin & Morphine Nicotine Marijuana NAc Cocaine & Amphetamines Heroin & Morphine
Alcohol Heroin & Morphine Inhibitory Interneuron Alcohol Heroin & Morphine Ca2+ Dopamine
Inhibitory Interneuron VTA Nicotine & Marijuana Ca2+ Dopamine
VTA NAc Heroin & Morphine Ca2+ Dopamine Cocaine & Amphetamines
Site of action in reward pathway Drug Site of action in reward pathway Drug Target (Receptor, Reuptake pump, etc.) Effect on VTA action potentials Effect of dopamine release and/or dopamine Effect on NAc action potentials Cocaine VTA Dopamine reuptake pump None Increase dopamine levels Increase Amphetamine Nicotine Nicotinic receptors Increase dopamine release & levels Alcohol Inhibitory interneuron GABA receptors Heroin & Morphine Inhibitory interneuron & NAc Opiate receptors Marijuana Cannabinoid receptors