Health Psychology: Addiction (Biology)

Addiction

Inability to control behavior

Substance

Ingested to alter cognition, behavior, or affective state

Disease model of addiction

Biological roots of addiction

Gene associated with alcoholism/addiction

DRD2 gene and alcoholism

Reward pathway

Brain's activation of reward system

Agonist

Drug binding to receptor site causing neuron firing

Dual addiction

Having multiple addictions

Alcoholism

Leads to mental, social, and physical dysfunctions

Dendrite

Receives signals from other neurons

Soma/Cell body

Contains nucleus and other organelles

Axon

Transmits signals to other neurons

Axon terminal/button

Ends of axon, releases neurotransmitters

Ventral tegmental area (VTA)

Brain's reward pathway

Why are some biological theories of addiction Reductionist?

Drugs impact multiple chemicals in the body

Setiawan et al (2013)

Investigated dopamine's role in alcoholism

PET scan

Used to measure brain activity

How do you study genetic vulnerability?

Research on family and twin studies

DRD2 gene

Codes for dopamine receptors

What is the impact of fewer dopamine receptors?

Increased vulnerability to addiction

Ponce et al., 2008 (Aim)

Alcohol dependence and allele prevalence

Knedler & Prescott, 1998 (aim)

Genetic connection with drug use and dependence

Results for Knedler & Prescott, 1998, on cocaine dependence

35% in MZ twins, 0% in DZ twins

What is an important ethical consideration in addiction research?

Balancing findings and costs to humans/animals

why is it difficult to study addiction in humans?

- Complexity of human behavior

- Influenced by culture, laws, etc.