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Understanding Drug Effects on the Nervous System: Neural Transmission and Addiction

This chapter explores the intricate relationship between drugs and the nervous system, highlighting how brain activity underpins feelings, emotions, and psychological experiences. It details the mechanisms through which various drugs influence neurotransmitter synthesis, transport, storage, and release, thereby affecting neural communication. Key examples include how substances like Idazoxan and Cocaine manipulate neurotransmitter functionality. The advances in our understanding of these interactions have shaped our perception of drug-related issues, particularly addiction, by elucidating the cellular basis of drug effects on the brain.

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Understanding Drug Effects on the Nervous System: Neural Transmission and Addiction

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  1. CHAPTER 3 Drugs and the Nervous System

  2. Drugs and the Nervous System • Brain activity is the basis of all feelings, emotions and psychological experiences. • Thus brain activity is key to understanding drug effects on psychological processes. • All drugs produce their effects by acting on cells in the nervous system

  3. Drugs and the Nervous System • Advances in understanding of the brain and drug actions has resulted in major changes in our thinking about drug problems like addiction • How does the brain work? • The basic cell of the nervous system is a neuron.

  4. Effects of Drugs on Neural Transmission • Neurotransmitter synthesis – increase or decrease synthesis • Idazoxan-blocks NE autoreceptors and increases synthesis/release of NT. • PCPA-serotonin-inactivates synthetic enzymes of 5-HT • Apomorphine- stimulates DA autoreceptors which inhibits synthesis/release of NT • Neurotransmitter transport – interfere with transport of neurotransmitter • Neurotransmitter storage – interfere with storage of neurotransmitter in vesicles • Reserpine – prevents storage of monoamine NT in vesicles • Neurotransmitter release – interference with release of neurotransmitter into synapse • Botulinum Toxin- Inhibit release of ACh NT • Black widow spider venom – Stimulates release of Ach NT

  5. Effects of Drugs on Neural Transmission Cont. • Neurotransmitter degradation – Interfere with breakdown of neurotransmitter in synapse • AchE- Ach – neostigmine, use to diagnose myasthenia gravis AChE blockers used in number of insecticides • Neurotransmitter reuptake – Block reuptake of neurotransmitter into axon terminal • Cocaine – blocks reuptake of DA NT • Receptor activation – Mimic neruotransmitter and activate receptor • Nicotine/Muscarine-Ach – stimulate postsynaptic receptors • Receptor Blocking – inactivate receptor by blocking • Carare/Atropine-Ach – blocks postsynaptic receptors

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