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NEUROBIOLOGY AND TREATMENT OF
SUBSTANCE ABUSE DISORDERS
Dopamine (DA) Neurotransmitter involved in pleasure and reward. Nucleus
Accumbens (NA) Brain region critical for reward and euphoria.
Positron Emission Imaging technique to observe drug binding in the brain.
Tomography (PET)
Euphoria Intense feeling of pleasure from drug use.
Reuptake Inhibition Process of blocking neurotransmitter reabsorption.
Methylphenidate Stimulant used forADHD; low abuse risk.
Substances like heroin and morphine affecting mu receptors.
Opiate Drugs
Mu Receptor Opioid receptor mediating effects of opiates.
Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA) Brain region involved in dopamine release.
GABA (Gamma-
Aminobutyric Acid) Inhibitory neurotransmitter affected by opiates.
Cyclic Adenosine
Monophosphate (cAMP) Molecule reduced by Gi protein activation.
Protein Kinase A (PKA) Enzyme involved in cellular signaling pathways. CREB
Protein Transcription factor regulated by PKA activity. Locus
Coeruleus (LC) Brain region involved in arousal and anxiety.
Antianxiety Effects Reduction of anxiety symptoms by opiates. Sedating
Effects Drowsiness or calmness induced by opiates.
5-HT3 Receptors Serotonin receptors stimulated by alcohol.
, 2
Nicotine Stimulant that enhances dopamine release.
Median Forebrain Bundle Pathway where animals self-stimulate for dopamine.
Physical and psychological effects after drug cessation.
Withdrawal Symptoms
Cannabinoid Receptor 1 (CB1) Receptor involved in cannabis effects on dopamine.
Dopamine Release Increased dopamine levels associated with drug use. GABA
Interneurons Neurons that inhibit dopamine release in VTA.
Neurons that release endogenous opioids in the
Opioid Peptide Neurons
brain.
Locus coeruleus neurons adapt to chronic opiate
LC Neurons
stimulation.
cAMP-PKA Pathway Up-regulated pathway counteracts opiate effects. Tolerance
Need for larger opiate doses for same effect.
Symptoms include anxiety, sweating, and dilated
Opiate Withdrawal Signs
pupils.
Nicotine Stimulates VTA, enhancing dopamine release.
VTA Ventral tegmental area involved in reward processing.
Active marijuana compound acting on cannabinoid receptors.
Delta-9-THC
Cannabinoid receptors in the brain, enhance VTA firing.
CB1 Receptors
Endogenous neurotransmitter stimulating CB1
Anandamide
receptors.
Endogenous cannabinoid enhancing VTA neuron activity.
2-AG
CB2 Receptors Found on immune cells, regulate inflammation.
Alcohol Effects Diffusely enhances GABA, decreases LC firing.
NEUROBIOLOGY AND TREATMENT OF
SUBSTANCE ABUSE DISORDERS
Dopamine (DA) Neurotransmitter involved in pleasure and reward. Nucleus
Accumbens (NA) Brain region critical for reward and euphoria.
Positron Emission Imaging technique to observe drug binding in the brain.
Tomography (PET)
Euphoria Intense feeling of pleasure from drug use.
Reuptake Inhibition Process of blocking neurotransmitter reabsorption.
Methylphenidate Stimulant used forADHD; low abuse risk.
Substances like heroin and morphine affecting mu receptors.
Opiate Drugs
Mu Receptor Opioid receptor mediating effects of opiates.
Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA) Brain region involved in dopamine release.
GABA (Gamma-
Aminobutyric Acid) Inhibitory neurotransmitter affected by opiates.
Cyclic Adenosine
Monophosphate (cAMP) Molecule reduced by Gi protein activation.
Protein Kinase A (PKA) Enzyme involved in cellular signaling pathways. CREB
Protein Transcription factor regulated by PKA activity. Locus
Coeruleus (LC) Brain region involved in arousal and anxiety.
Antianxiety Effects Reduction of anxiety symptoms by opiates. Sedating
Effects Drowsiness or calmness induced by opiates.
5-HT3 Receptors Serotonin receptors stimulated by alcohol.
, 2
Nicotine Stimulant that enhances dopamine release.
Median Forebrain Bundle Pathway where animals self-stimulate for dopamine.
Physical and psychological effects after drug cessation.
Withdrawal Symptoms
Cannabinoid Receptor 1 (CB1) Receptor involved in cannabis effects on dopamine.
Dopamine Release Increased dopamine levels associated with drug use. GABA
Interneurons Neurons that inhibit dopamine release in VTA.
Neurons that release endogenous opioids in the
Opioid Peptide Neurons
brain.
Locus coeruleus neurons adapt to chronic opiate
LC Neurons
stimulation.
cAMP-PKA Pathway Up-regulated pathway counteracts opiate effects. Tolerance
Need for larger opiate doses for same effect.
Symptoms include anxiety, sweating, and dilated
Opiate Withdrawal Signs
pupils.
Nicotine Stimulates VTA, enhancing dopamine release.
VTA Ventral tegmental area involved in reward processing.
Active marijuana compound acting on cannabinoid receptors.
Delta-9-THC
Cannabinoid receptors in the brain, enhance VTA firing.
CB1 Receptors
Endogenous neurotransmitter stimulating CB1
Anandamide
receptors.
Endogenous cannabinoid enhancing VTA neuron activity.
2-AG
CB2 Receptors Found on immune cells, regulate inflammation.
Alcohol Effects Diffusely enhances GABA, decreases LC firing.
