Kaarten: neuro2: david nutt | Quizlet

3 drives in understandig the science of the brain

1) neuroimaging techniques

2) molecular neuroscience

3) genetics

molecular neuroscience

=attempt to decifer relations between genes, proteins, structures & functioning of neurons

genetics

=vulnerability to psychiatric problems & structural problems in disorders

Imaging

1) Structural imaging
=MRI

2) Functional imaging
~2 types:
1. Measurments of changes in brain activity
2. Pharmacology

4 types measurments of changes in brain activity (functional)

1) PET
→radioactieve traces

2) FMRI
→magnetic changes

3) EEG
→electroencephalography

4) MEG
→magnetoencephalography

2 types pharmacology measurements

1) PET

2) MRSpectroscopy

What kind of drugs “destroys” (kapotmaken) your brain the most?

=alcohol (makes brain shrink, visible in imaging due to black surfaces)

→20% of Alzheimer is due to alcohol!!

→nalmefene =new treatment to gain control over drinking behaviour

→stress =most common cause for relapse (possible solution: taking NK 1 antagonist)

Which regions are activated when taking drugs?

=areas with too many NT dopamine

Working of nalmefene

=when taking nalmefeme: ↓brain activity in reward system

("turns the on switch off from alcohol)

treatment for heroin

~alternative forms of heroin (methadone, ibuprofen)

→eg from study: taking NK 1 antagonist to prevent relapse (because it helps with emotional resistance to stress)

Study: ex-heroine users think back to how it was (& craving)

~2 systemen activated in frontal lobe: areas for emotional regulation & decision making (OFC)

”the longer I didn’t use the drugs, the more activation when seeing a cue”

=>ex-heroine addicts do NOT use sensitivity for the cues, even after a very long time

OCD

=first disorder categorised with brain function

→frontal lobe overactive

→treatment:
1. Antidepressives
2. Behavioural therapy

kalmeert het brein

benzodiazepines (GABAa)

Brain in epilepsy/panic disorders

1) Reduction in density of benzodiazepine receptors in parts of brain where seizures originate

2) GREATER density of benzodiazepine receptors in areas that control anxiety

(but biological differences between people with or without the disease may mean that someone with panic disorder has more GABA)

Which part of the brain is most closely related to addiction?

=middle of the front of the brain

(OFC, PFC, amygdala?? checken op tekeningen)

Consequence of having fewer Alpha5 receptors (subtype of GABA)

=less inhibition/restraint of cravings/urges for drugs

(therefore greater risk of addiction)

PTSD related to which NT?

GABA!

Cause of PTSD:

=lack of inhibition in medial PFC

→receptors don’t block memories of traumatic memories (emotions can take over, no brakes)

→medial PFC: drives (triggers?) the emergence of traumatic memories

Treatment for PTSD

=MDMA (illegal)
→when they took this: they could relive trauma & control their emotions

Study abt MDMA
↑stronger good memories when taking MDMA

↓bad memories

MDMA under the scanners
= ↓bloodstream in hippocampus & amygdala (regulate memories & emotion)

=>less activity of hippo & amy

Which neurotransmitter is associated with depression?

serotinin 5-HT

→depressed people have less 5-HT1A (receptor)

→function of this receptor=reducing stress response in brain

Treatment depressie

1) SSRI-antidepressant (↑ serotonin levels)

→danger of 5HT: when serotnin gone: major crash

→also depressive symptoms aren’t gone (just surpressed under control of serotonin)

+danger of higher neg affective valence

2) psychotheraphy (↑5-HT1A receptors)

Negative affective valence

=viewing the world as something bad, dirty

→increased by SSRI

→linked to depression & fear

Default mode network

=only activates when you do nothing, start thinking about yourself, ‘where your soul is’

→overactive in depression

→rumination: larger part of brain involved in thinking about yourself (in depr: entire mental capacity “filled” by this)

subgenual cingulate cortex

=region that welk deel drives the overactivity & orchestrates this excessive negative introspective thinking (overthinking)

magic mushrooms (psilocybin)

effect of these drugs disrupts the default mode network (against depression)

→working:

1) increases brain connectivity (against depression)

2) different way of thinking

3) change in attitude