Drugs Interfere with Neurotransmission - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Drugs

Interferewith Neurotransmission in the BrainSlide2

Median Forebrain Bundle (MFB) is the “reward center”. C

ontains nerve cells that contain dopamine, a pleasure-causing neurotransmitter. When stimulated by drugs of abuse (cocaine, meth, nicotine, etc) they cause an increase in dopamine within this part of the brain.

Drugs of

abuse

alter the release of dopamine, or increase its action.

Drug abuse causes addictive behaviors, mental health issues, physical problems, and ruins lives and relationships. It’s important to understand it, and that’s why we’re studying it. Slide3

meth

When amphetamines are used, neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonins, and norepinephrine are releasedPsycho Stimulants like Cocaine and Amphetamines

cause euphoria.

Unfortunately, they also cause hostility, paranoia (fear), psychosis (mental illness), heart failure, seizures, and even more anxiety. Slide4

Cocaine

and Meth block uptake pumps. The D

opamine

T

ransporters don’t function any more, so the dopamine doesn’t get cleared out of the synaptic space.

cocaine

methSlide5

Psycho-stimulants (cont.)Slide6

The psychoactive drug Nicotine can have a calming effect and speeds up your heart and metabolism.

Unfortunately, it also causes addiction, many types of cancer, high blood pressure, breathing problems, it stinks and it’s expensive (cigarettes). Moreover, there are better ways of calming down and/or losing weight. Slide7

From Wikipedia: When

a cigarette is smoked, nicotine-rich blood passes from the lungs to the brain within seven seconds and immediately stimulates nicotinic acetylcholine receptors; this indirectly promotes the release of many chemical messengers such as acetylcholine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, arginine vasopressin, serotonin, dopamine, and beta-endorphin in parts of the brain.Slide8

Morphine, Heroin and Oxycontin-

Opiates

that mimic

neurotransmitters.

All

have pain relieving

effects,

but highly

addictive!

All highly addictive chemicals because they

increase dopamine activity in the reward

pathway!

Your natural endorphins serve to block pain. Morphine acts as an endorphin “imposter”, locking on to the endorphin receptors in a more-powerful fashion.Slide9

Heroin travels to the brain and converts to morphine. The morphine acts as an ‘evil twin’ to your natural endorphins, locking onto the endorphin receptors. Slide10

Opiates such as morphine and codeine are used for pain relief. They are an immense ‘blessing’ to humankind because they control pain and allow surgery to take place.

morphineOpioid abuse in America has reached epidemic levels (see chart). It is one of the biggest crisis we face in America right now.Slide11
Slide12

OxyContin

- belongs to a family of drugs called opioids, which are

derived

from

the opium poppy and

are among the

most

common

drugs

used

to

address

both

chronic

and

acute

pain.

Very

addictive!Slide13

cannabinoids

THC- mimics cannabinoid NT’s

cannabinoid

receptors

THC

cannabinoid

Cannabinoid

NT

’

sSlide14

serotonin

serotonin

LSD

receptors

serotonin

LSD – most potent hallucinogen; binds to serotonin receptors.

Mimics

serotonin. Slide15

Ethyl

alcohol



Release

of

DopamineSlide16

Caffein

e blocks adenosine receptors adenosine transporter

adenosine

receptor

I

postsynaptic

ne

ronSlide17

Ecstacy interferes with enzyme action. Serotonin remains in the

synapse

longer.Slide18

Arterial

Vessels andVenous Vessels

make up

the whole vascular

system

How do Drugs Get Into the

Body?

BRAINSlide19

atrial chamber to heart

 pumped toInhaled: atrial blood (artery) in the lungs 

all body parts, esp the

brain.

Injected: venous blood (vein) in the

arm



venous chamber to heart



pumped to lungs (blood becomes oxygenated) lungs

 atrial chamber to heart



all

body parts, esp the

brain

.

Absorbed

:

A longer pathway for absorption.



heart pumped to all body parts, esp the

brain.

Injested:

Drug goes through digestive system and must pass through walls of

the stomach and intestine.  heart pumped to all body parts, esp the brain.

How do Drugs Get Into the Body?