BIOPSYCH 03/11

Overview of Drug Lecture and Upcoming Exam

• Lecture Finish: Concluding discussion on drugs, leading to preparedness for exam two in one week.

• Subjects Covered:

  • Communications lecture covering action potentials.

  • Drugs lecture.

• Exam Format: 20-30 multiple-choice questions, requiring scantron (bluish-green, with numbers 30-50).

• Timing of the Exam: Half of the class for the exam, rest for lecture.

• Drugs Paper: Likely due during spring break.

Current Focus: Depressants

• Concept of Downers: Major discussion on depressants, with a focus on alcohol.

• Alcohol Characteristics:

  • Different types (beer, wine, vodka) have varying alcohol concentrations.

  • Alcohol affects neurotransmitters with particular emphasis on GABA.

Effects of Alcohol

• GABA: Alcohol acts as a GABA agonist, leading to increased inhibition in the nervous system.

• Dopamine: Alcohol impacts addiction potential by influencing dopamine levels.

• Serotonin: Initially, alcohol increases serotonin levels, promoting positive mood, but later reduces serotonin leading to feelings of depression.

• Norepinephrine: Alters mental state, contributing to confidence.

• Endorphins: Alcohol reduces pain sensation.

• Glutamate: Alcohol affects memory functions through glutamate modulation.

Long-Term Alcohol Consumption Effects

• Brain & Physical Health: Alcohol can cause cognitive deficits, including a reduction in brain size and memory issues related to thiamine deficiency (leading to diseases like Wernicke's encephalopathy and Korsakoff's psychosis).

• Liver Impact: Chronic consumption leads to fatty liver and cirrhosis, significantly impacting bodily functions.

• Reverse Tolerance: Individuals with liver damage may become more intoxicated with less alcohol.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and Other Impacts

• FAS Symptoms: Physical malformations and cognitive impairments in children whose mothers consumed alcohol during pregnancy.

• Prenatal Exposure to Alcohol (PEA): An observable condition without the physical symptoms of FAS.

Opioids Discussion

• Opioid Class: Includes substances like heroin, morphine, fentanyl, with specific receptors (mu, sigma, kappa) identified later.

• Addiction Mechanism: Opioids interact with neurotransmitters linked to pain relief and can lead to significant physical dependency.

• Digestive System Impact: Causes diarrhea and long-term constipation.

• Causality of Health Issues: Involves dirty needles and other related health risks associated with opioid usage.

Moving to Marijuana

• Cannabinoid Receptors: Activate through THC and anandamide, which may influence appetite and other effects.

• Neurotransmitter Interactions: Distinct from previously discussed neurotransmitters, relevant studies suggest varied cognitive impacts and effectiveness in medical applications like chemotherapy.

Ecstasy Overview

• Composition and Risks: Many substances sold as ecstasy contain adulterants rather than pure ecstasy, including toxic substances.

• Brain Impact: Primarily affects serotonin, leading to mood elevation but potential long-term damage to serotonin receptors, complicating treatment for depression.

• Dependency Factors: Analyzing different drugs based on user dependency, withdrawal potential, and comparative effects on health.

Transition to Senses & Perception

• Future Topics: Shifting towards the senses: vision, hearing, touch, and their neurological underpinnings.

• Differences in Seeing vs. Perception: Exploring how sensation differs from interpretation of visual stimuli and the brain's role in deciphering ambiguous images.

Sensory Perception Examples

• Necker Cube: Demonstrates how the same visual information can lead to different perceptions.

• Impossible Objects: Similar concept highlighting the brain's interpretation of figures that cannot physically exist.

Conclusion

• Exam Preparation: Encouragement to review materials in light of the upcoming exam and drugs paper deadlines. Adjustments to the teaching pace will occur as topics develop and students become more familiar with complex materials.