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DRUG ADDICTION

DRUG ADDICTION. Molecular mechanisms of opiate and cocaine addiction. Cocaine – is a psychostimulant drug taken to give a sense of euphoria. Opiates Subclass of opioids Two major groups of opiates A) Natural Alkaloids B) Semi- Synthetic derivates.

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DRUG ADDICTION

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  1. DRUG ADDICTION Molecular mechanisms of opiate and cocaine addiction

  2. Cocaine – is a psychostimulant drug taken to give a sense of euphoria

  3. Opiates • Subclass of opioids • Two major groups of opiates • A) Natural Alkaloids • B) Semi- Synthetic derivates

  4. Terms important to understand drug addiction • Tolerance • Dependence • Withdrawal

  5. General action of cocaine (synaptic)

  6. Acute opiate action in the LC • Short term effects of opiates • Decreased firing rates of neurons • Decreased depolarizability of ion channels

  7. Effects through signal transduction

  8. Chronic action • Increased depolarizability • Increase firing rates

  9. Consequences of chronic exposure • Tolerance effect • Compensatory mechanism • Upon cessation even more increased firing rates to prevent a drastic drop in firing rates.

  10. Influence on gene expression • Down regulation – alteration in gene expression and regulation of transcription factors • Up regulation – Maintenance of increased rate of gene expression to sustain the chronic opiate state

  11. Drug Reward Initial dose leading to further use due to its desirable effect Rewarding is also involved in other acts of survival Observed primarily in the mesolimbic dopamine System

  12. Chronic cocaine use • Causes phosphorylation and therefore activation of a phosphoprotein called TH in the VTA and vice versa in NAc

  13. Glutamate • Major attention in current research • Cognitive functions and responsible for memory of drug-seeking • Has the NMDA receptors • Increased levels of dopamine – increased levels of glutamate • Glu also responsible for relapse

  14. Current treatments • Glutamate- receptor blockage possibility • GVG ( gamma-vinyl GABA)- blocks the inhibition action of cocaine • Venlafaxine • Cocaine antibodies!

  15. I am done

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