Nicotine & caffeine (for exam 3)

PSYC 733

how is nicotine metabolized?

• primary active metabolite: cotinine

• primarily metabolized by Cytochrome P450 2A6 excreted in urine

what are the physiological effects of nicotine?

• tachychardia

  • from epi and NE release

• stroke and MI risk

• weight loss

  • appetite suppressant and increased metabolism)

• gastric HCL ulcers

  • toxic if OD area postrema

what are the long-term effects of nicotine use?

• increased DA release

• inhibited MAO to prolong CA action in body

how does smoking impact the body?

• cancers related to smoke exposure

• diseases related to smoke exposure

what is a heteroreceptor?

a receptor that regulated the release of a NT that isn’t the one it binds to

how are heteroreceptors related to nicotine?

nicotine binds to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (NAchRs) but regulates the release of NE, 5-HT, GABA, and glutamate

what are the different sub-types of the nicotinic receptor?

composed of 2 a4 and 3 B2 subunits

what are the cognitive effects of nicotine?

• better attention, learning, and memory

• potentially improving mood and reducing anxiety

what is known about nicotine self-administration in adolescent rats?

female adolescent rats are more vulnerableto nicotine self-administration compared to males

what are clinical uses of caffeine?

• analgesia (pain management)

• treating infant apnea

adenosine

adenosine decreases wakefulness and promotes sleepiness by acting as an inhibitory neurotransmitter.

how does caffeine affect adenosine?

caffeine inhibits adenosine A1 receptors, increasing wakefulness

what are the cognitive effects of caffeine?

• increases alertness

• decreases tension

• decreases RT in attentional task