From Neurons to the Brain How Cocaine Effects Dopamine Levels

1. From Neurons to the BrainHow Cocaine Effects Dopamine Levels Kim Bickerstaff Western School of Technology and Environmental Science September 2011

2. Thank you! Gigi Tanda, Ph.D. Jonathan Katz, Ph. D Stephen Heishman, Ph.D

3. How neurotransmitters work • Neurons release neurotransmitters • Travel across synapse • Send a message to the next neuron

4. How Cocaine Effects Dopamine Levels Molecular Structure of Cocaine • Dopamine is your reward circuitry • Cravings are your body wanting more dopamine • Addition, whatever your vice, is elevating dopamine levels

5. My Research Goal of the lab at NIDA: Eventually find a cure for cocaine addition Summer 2011 Research: Effect of Rimcazole on Cocaine-Induced Dopamine Release

6. Procedure Insert probes Collect cerebral fluid samples Inject into microdialysis machine Record levels of dopamine

7. Results Conclusion: Rimcazole shows reduced levels of dopamine than in those rodents solely injected with cocaine

8. In the Classroom AP Biology Four 90 minute periods Covers Chapter 48 in Campbell Biology: Nervous System

9. Day 1: Parts of the Brain Preserved brains Parts of the brain ID Draw neuron

10. Day 2: Neurons and Action Potential Neuron Firing Simulation Today in your group you will create a human model of Neuron Transmission. Your group has 15 minutes to plan the model and be ready to present. Every person in your group must be involved in the model and participation in the presentation of the Neuron transmission (flow of electrochemical information). You must demonstrate the reaction caused by a neurotransmitter sending a message! Begin with a stimulus…. Your model needs to include the following things: Polarized Neuron (-ions in center, +ions exterior) –ions (Potassium) +ions (Sodium) Depolarized Neuron (+ ions on inside, -ions outside) Dendrites Axon Axon Terminals/bulbs Cell body/soma Synapse/synaptic gap Action Potential Myelin Sheath Threshold Reuptake Neurotransmitters (e.g.: acetylcholine (contract large muscles, encoding memory, Alzheimer’s); dopamine (move muscle groups, pleasure and rewards systems in the brain, -Parkinsons, + schizophrenia); serotonin (regulate sleep, appetite, -depression); norepinephrine (pay attention to important events); glutamate (helps you emote and think); GABA (inhibit neurons from firing and help you relax and sleep) Video: action potential Neuron Firing Simulation 3-2-1 Exit Ticket

11. Day 3: Action Potential and Communication Between Cells Drugs in America Prezi Interactive Presentation Mouse Party

12. Day 4: Effect of Cocaine on Dopamine Levels in the Brain • During Reading: • It is not a novel so there is no need for a linear approach • Try this order when reading the journal • Title • Abstract • Figures, tables • Introduction, results, discussion • Then methods • Interact with the text (active reading) • highlighter/underline • make notes • ask questions • look up words/concepts you don’t understand Evaluating a Paper: What question(s) does the paper address? What are the main conclusions of the paper? What evidence supports those conclusions? Do the data actually support the conclusions? Explain. How good (quality, precision) and how extensive (more is usually better) are the data? What is the quality of the evidence? Why are the conclusions important? Can you think of potential weaknesses that were not addressed? Does the paper advance our understanding of the field? (How?) What future questions or experiments could be done as a result of this particular experiment? Share my experience Scientific Journal Article

13. Questions