PSB-2000 Lecture Notes - Nicotine Patch, Opioid, Dopamine Receptor
Document Summary
Stimulates nicotine ach receptor on vta neurons and excites. Vta neurons project to na and releases dopamine. Cells become less responsive after you repeatedly use, the more you use the more the effect decreases (tolerance)-->other pleasures(including nicotine itself) become less reinforcing. You"re brain responding to the drugs is trying to do what it can to keep homeostasis. Endorphins are chemicals in body that can act as neurotransmitters and hormones that bind to the receptor and have several effects. Opiods remove gaba inhibition, they are inhibitory they bind to the gaba cells and inhibit the inhibiting gaba cell, more dopamine release. Dopamine release leads to the drug being reinforcing but it"s not only doing that but the reinforcing act is happening independently as well. Opiods are also working on the locus coeruleus that makes norepinephrine. Opiods inhibit the nor epinephrin release that decreases stress and memory. It is an opiopd receptor agonist, it activates it.
