Addiction

Front 1

Give an example of a type of tolerance, where it can cause problems and where it can be used therapeutically?

Back 1

Cross-tolerance, developing tolerance to one-type can reduce sensitivity to another. Tolerance to alcohol means people need higher doses of anaesthetics in surgery. Benzodiazepines can be used to reduce alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

Front 2

What are the key features of addiction?

Back 2

Dependence, tolerance and withdrawal symptoms.

Front 3

Identify some risk factors in the development of addiction

Back 3

Genetic vulnerability, Stress, Personality, Family Influences and Peers

Front 4

Identify genetic mechanisms possibly involved in addiction

Back 4

Abnormally low levels of D2 receptors

Some better at metabolising substances eg expression of enzyme CYP2A6 = greater risk of icotine addiction

Front 5

What were the findings of Kendler et al (2012)?

Back 5

addicted parent - 8.6%

No addicted parent - 4.2%

Front 6

Which study found a strong correlation between childhood rape and adult alcohol addiction?

Back 6

Epstein et al (1998) - only for those women diagnosed with PTSD

Front 7

What did Andersen and Teicher (2008) suggest about early experiences of stress?

Back 7

It has damaging effects on brain, creating a vulnerability to addiction

Front 8

What personality traits did Butler and Montgomery suggest were linked to addiction?

Back 8

Hostility and neuroticism

Front 9

What personality disorder has been most strongly correlated with addiction?

Back 9

Antisocial personality disorder (impulsive)

Front 10

Name a study that supports impulsivity as a key link to addiction

Back 10

Ivanov et al (2008)

Front 11

Name and outline the findings of a study into family influences on addiction

Back 11

Livingston et al (2010) - allowed to drink at home = sig more likely to drink excessively following year at college

Front 12

What is a key family influence as a risk factor for addiction?

Back 12

Perceived parental approval

Front 13

What is important in forming addictions through peers?

Back 13

Peer attitudes/creation of group norm that favours rule-breaking generally, with drugs/alcohol being one example of this.

Front 14

Which dopamine receptor is associated with novelty-seeking behaviour?

Back 14

D4 (Ray 2009)

Front 15

Name an explanation for nicotine addiction

Back 15

Desensitisation hyp

Nicotine regulation hyp

Operant conditioning

Cue reactivity (classical)

Front 16

Which neurotransmitter is implicated in the desensitisation hyp?

Back 16

Acetylcholine (ACh)

Front 17

Name a subtype of ACh receptor

Back 17

Nicotinic receptor (nAChR)

Front 18

Describe the process of desensitisation of a neuron

Back 18

Nicotine molecules bind with nicotinic receptors = neuron stimulated.

=neuron receptors shut down and temporarily can't respond to neurotransmitters.

Number of active receptors down-regulated (fewer of them available)

Front 19

In which part of the brain is desensitisation particularly consequential in terms of addiction?

Back 19

Nucleus accumbens (in mesolimbic system) - reward and pleasure centre

Front 20

Why does desensitisation in nucleus accumbens cause nicotine addiction?

Back 20

The process causes release of dopamine which creates feelings of mild euphoria, increased alertness and reduced anxiety

Front 21

What is the nicotine regulation model?

Back 21

Smokers go without nicotine for long time = drug metabolised and ACh receptors become functional (upregulation). Abnormally high levels of ACh transmission occurs, creating acute withdrawal symptoms.

Front 22

Name a brain imaging study that supports importance of dopamine in mesolimbic pathway?

Back 22

Ray et al (2008)

Front 23

Name a study that supported dopamine hyp through schizophrenics on Haloperidol

Back 23

McEvoy et al (1995)

Front 24

Identify some other neurotransmitter pathways involved in nicotine addiction

Back 24

GABA and Serotonin(5-HT)

Endogenous opioids (endorphin)