PSYC30018 Lecture Notes - Spring 2018 Lecture 14 - Orbitofrontal cortex, Sensation Seekers (film), Striatum
Document Summary
In both active and abstinent users showing drug-related stimuli activates limbic regions usually associated with the effects of the drug. Strength of cravings is reflected in cue-related limbic activity. The magnitude of drug-related cue-induced activation of limbic and medial prefrontal regions predicts alcohol dependent individuals who will subsequently relapse. This reinforces the biological link between the strength of drug-related cravings and relapse: methamphetamine use. Cognition chronic ma use has been associated with significant impairments (relative to age/education matched controls) in a range of cognitive domains: poor verbal memory, slowed processing speed, executive function. Selective attention inability to avoid distraction. Decision-making biased toward immediate desires, myopia for future negative consequences. Cognitive flexibility difficulty switching between different activities: significant impact across the domains. Learning, executive function and memory medium effect sizes: smaller impairments in other drugs (eg. cocaine and marijuana, use behaviour (frequency, duration and quantity) does not predict the level of cognitive. It is unclear what actually predicts cognitive impairment impairment.
