DO NOW-Have your drugs and the brain

note taking page and your brain.Read Meet your Incredible Brain

TAKE OUT YOUR NIDA INFOFACTSWith a partner answer and write the

following on the back of the half piece of paper:

• Define Addiction-• What are some common

stereotypes about addiction or about an addict?- What does a drug addict act like and look like?

Take out your NIDA Article and Questions

• Clear your desks.• Silently take the quiz on the article you read

last night.• When you are done turn it over on your desk.

Respond to the following questions• What is the “proverbial elephant in the living

room”• In what ways did William dispel the typical

perception of a drug addict?• Other than the circumstance described by William Cope Moyers, which

of the following would be an elephant in the living room type situation?– A) A child bringing home a good grade.– B) A woman with a black eye from her husband– C) A 45 year old man on crutches– D) A 16 year old who just got his learners permit

Neuron- main role is to process and transmit information

Neuron to Neuron Information Travel

Information gets passed through the terminals to reach its destination.

Dopamine is the neurotransmitter that deals with pleasure.

The Reward Pathway

Info. travels from the VTA to the N.A. Then up to the prefrontal cortex

Scientist located the structures important for the addictive nature of drugs

Rats will self-administer cocaine right into the N.A. or VTA to activate the reward pathway! Scientists also know how

the drugs work to produce rewarding effects

Motor Cortex

Cerebellum

OccipitalLobes

Posterior Parietal Cortex

Brain Stem

Hippocampus

Amygdala

Nucleus Accumbens

VTA

Prefrontal Cortex

Consequences, Planning

Heartbeat, breathing, digestion

Localization of Cocaine- “Binding Sites”

Cocaine concentrates in the reward center

It also concentrates in the caudate nucleus causing behaviors- nail-biting, pacing, scratching

Activation of Reward Pathway

The body eventually relies on cocaine to maintain rewarding feelings

Addict is no longer able to experience pleasurable feelings of natural rewards

FOOD

Water FUN

PET Scan- RED- shows the highest level of glucose utilization

YELLOW- lesser level of glucose utilization

BLUE- lowest level of glucose utilization

Glucose fuels the neurons

Localization of Opiate- “Binding Sites”

Thalamus

Reward CenterCaudate Nucleus

Activation of Reward Pathway

The body eventually relies on opiates to maintain rewarding feelings

Addict is no longer able to experience pleasurable feelings of natural rewards

FOOD

Water FUN

Addict can’t function normally with out the drug present

What areas of the brain is the THC effecting?

What is the effect of these interferences?

Localization of THC- “Binding Sites”

Activation of the Reward Pathway

Scientists still don’t know how the continued use of marijuana alters the reward system

All 3 drugs activate the reward pathway by increasing dopamine transmission

Can you think of any other drugs that probably activate the reward system in the same way?

QUESTION• You have an uncle who comments

that “all addicts are low-life losers.”• What would you say to your uncle to

completely educate him on the truth behind drug addiction. Be sure to include specific scientific evidence.