PSYC20006 Lecture Notes - Fall 2017 Lecture 11 - Reinforcement, Striatum, Nicotine
20 Sep 2018
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L-dopa (medication) -amino acid decarboxylase (synthesis enzyme)-> dopamine -dopamine - hydroxylase (synthesis and breakdown enzyme)-> noradrenaline (norepinephrine) L-dopa is a (cid:373)edi(cid:272)atio(cid:374) for late stage parki(cid:374)so(cid:374)"s and is a source of dopa for them: dopa(cid:373)i(cid:374)e a(cid:374)d parki(cid:374)so(cid:374)"s disease. Caused by death of dopamine cells in the substantia nigra. Later symptoms include cognitive impairments and dementia. Other symptoms often include reduced executive function (eg. working memory and higher level functioning like speech) If precise area is identified correctly and with the pulse generator, motor function returns to normal. When the pulse generator is switched off, tremors return and motor function deteriorates back to the way it was before. If a reward is expected but not given, dopamine neurons will be suppressed. Outcome is better than expected dopamine released. Outcome is worse than expected dopamine levels suppressed. Outcome is expected dopamine not released. Unexpected gain/loss trigger dopamine changes and associated feelings are more intense.
