PSYCH 127A Chapter Notes - Chapter 11.9: Medial Forebrain Bundle, Mesolimbic Pathway, Nucleus Accumbens
Document Summary
Patterns of alcohol consumption tend to run in families. Lifetime prevalence of alcoholism among parents/siblings/children of people with alcoholism is at least 3-5x higher than rate in gen pop. May be due to genetic or environmental factors. Concordance rates are higher among mz than dz twins. Heritability estimates were the same for both men and women with ~2/3 of variance in risk for alcoholism accounted for by genetic factors. Offspring of alcoholic parents reared by nonalcoholic parents are more likely to develop drinking problems than the gen pop. Some genes involved in metabolism of alcohol while others may be involved in personality traits. Addicting drugs produce changes in chemical processes by which messages are transmitted in the brain. Medial forebrain bundle connecting the ventral tegmental area and nucleus accumbens; circuit connects to frontal cortex and limbic system. Natural rewards increase da levels in the mesolimbic pathway. Increase concentration in the limbic areas and medial pfc.
