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Dopamine: Difference between revisions
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→Drug Abuse
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== Drug Abuse == | == Drug Abuse == | ||
Dopamine connects to receptors quickly and then is rapidly removed if dopamine levels are adequately high. Drugs can affect these levels. Some drugs increase dopamine by preventing dopamine reuptake, leaving dopamine in the synapse. Cocaine and methylphenidate, a therapeutic drug used to treat childhood hyperkinesis and schizophrenia, affect dopamine levels in such a manner. Amphetamine and cocaine also affect behavior and heart function by increasing the amount of dopamine left in the synapse.Cocaine prevents dopamine reuptake, while amphetamine releases more dopamine. Thus, a parallel effect happens through different actions. However, different treatments for addiction will be needed. <ref name=Utex/> | Dopamine connects to receptors quickly and then is rapidly removed if dopamine levels are adequately high. Drugs can affect these levels. Some drugs increase dopamine by preventing dopamine reuptake, leaving dopamine in the synapse. Cocaine and methylphenidate, a therapeutic drug used to treat childhood hyperkinesis and schizophrenia, affect dopamine levels in such a manner. Amphetamine and cocaine also affect behavior and heart function by increasing the amount of dopamine left in the synapse.Cocaine prevents dopamine reuptake, while amphetamine releases more dopamine. Thus, a parallel effect happens through different actions. However, different treatments for addiction will be needed. | ||
If one abuses drugs for long periods of time, neurons can become sensitized and even immune to dopamine. When observing drug addiction, being aware of how cells adapt to exposure of drugs is vital. Over a long period of exposure to dopamine antagonists, the number of dopamine receptors increase. This happens as the nervous system attempts to make up for the lack of dopamine caused stimulation. The receptors, in turn, also become more sensitive to dopamine. These processes are called '''sensitization'''. <ref name=Utex/> | |||
== Monoamine Oxidase (MAO) == | == Monoamine Oxidase (MAO) == | ||
