PMCOL305 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Dendritic Spine, Nucleus Accumbens, Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
11 Oct 2016
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Formation of new neurons or death of neurons. Formation of new neuronal connections or loss of connections. Strengthening or weakening of existing neuronal connections (efficiency) During process of drug addiction/dependence, the brain undergoes significant plasticity. Neuroplasticity is the (cid:271)rai(cid:374)"s a(cid:271)ility to reorg and restructure itself and can include: Regardless of drug type, there are common changes to neurons at the cellular and molecular level thought to underlie addiction. Seen with chronic exposure and even single dose with some. Changes in neuronal structure, neuronal growth factors and proteins that alter gene expression. Drug-induced decreases in neurogenesis linked to memory issues in animal models. Arms = full of structures that contain various types of nts. R"s for those nts = lo(cid:272)ated o(cid:374) the de(cid:374)drites (cid:894)(cid:374)ote: also fou(cid:374)d elsewhere ie so(cid:373)a(cid:895) Dendritic arms are covered in spiny extensions (cid:894)spi(cid:374)es = (cid:862)(cid:373)ushroo(cid:373)(cid:863) like proje(cid:272)tio(cid:374)s(cid:895) Their shape and number changes with learning, stress, drugs.
