Chapter 12
Drug Abuse and Addiction
Chapter 12
Drug Abuse and Addiction
Drug abuse is the harmful overuse of substances, often leading to addiction or compulsive drug-seeking behavior.
Drugs of abuse typically stimulate the …
CNS depressants like alcohol and nicotine mediate their actions via ionotropic receptors by distinct mechanisms.
Ethanol, primarily found in alcoholic …
CNS depressants, including benzodiazepines and barbiturates, are often prescribed for insomnia.
Barbiturates interact with GABAA receptors and prolong the …
CNS stimulants are agents that modulate neuronal activity. These three stimulants each have a distinct structure, mechanism, and effect.
Cocaine, an …
Psychedelic drugs or hallucinogens are non-addictive substances that alter perception, cognition, and emotions.
They activate the brain's 5-HT2A …
'Cognition' encompasses various aspects of mental function, assessed using tests like the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery.
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Animal models of reinforcement have proven to be useful for understanding the neurobiological mechanisms underlying drug addiction. Operant drug …
It is thought that rewarding experiences with drugs create strong contextual associations and encourage repeated intake. In turn, repeated exposures to …
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a major problem with more than an estimated 76 million people worldwide meeting the diagnostic criteria. Current treatments …
Cannabis is the illicit drug most commonly used worldwide, and its consumption can both induce psychiatric symptoms in otherwise healthy subjects and …