Ventral tegmental area

mutated CLOCK gene exhibit many of the same behaviors as manic patients, such as decreased sleep, hyperactivity, and increased stimulation for reward (See Slide 2). CLOCK mutant mice show increased dopamine firing and bursting in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), an area important for reward pathways. A functional CLOCK protein was added to the VTA of mutated CLOCK mouse. After this procedure, the anxiety levels and hyperactivity of the mouse returned to wild-type levels (See Slide 3). This research

regarding how Methamphetamine is used will be discussed as well as the effects – short term and long term. Methamphetamine stimulates release of excessive amounts of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Dopamine is produced in the nerve cells of the ventral tegmental area and is concerned with pleasure regulation in the brain. Upon entering the nerve cell, meth stimulates release of dopamine which then binds

would allow a response in a limbic structure to be expressed by the motor system. Structures of the limbic system: Cortical areas: - Limbic

Did you know the average American spends an estimated “10% of their income a year on fast food”? (Johns 2). There are certain ingredients in junk food and fast food that keep people coming back for more. Although junk food is not as addictive as alcohol and drugs, it certainly has similar effects on the brain, which has brought scientists to the conclusion that most junk food has addictive properties. It is so easy these days to go to the store and buy cheap junk food, but knowing the negative outcomes

We can define medicalization as the process by which human conditions and behaviors come to be treated as medical concerns or problems. Peter Conrad, a well-respected sociologist, states that “phenomena do not necessarily inhere in the phenomena themselves, but develop through interaction in a social context”. Conrad’s statement further strengthens the argument that there is a distinct separation between the disease (biological condition) one suffers and the illness (social meaning of the condition)

type 1 receptor (CB1R), which is expressed ubiquitously throughout the brain [1]. Within the mesolimbic system, activation of CB1Rs modulate the release of dopamine. This is done by CB1’s ability to inhibit GABA and glutamate projections onto ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine neurons [3]. CB1R agonists have been shown to increase dopamine levels in NAc, thereby increasing the reinforcing effects of drugs of abuse [4]. In contrast, blockade of CB1Rs can decrease the rewarding

It is classified as a descending cortico-striato-pallido-pontine pathway including the cortex, striatum, pallidum, and the pons (Geyer and Braff 1987). Neurons from the amygdala, prefrontal cortex, ventral tegmental area, hippocampus, and nucleus accumbens regulate the activity of the pons. The pons controls the level of startle response (Swerdlow and Geyer 1998). By understanding these neural mechanisms, we can begin to understand the complex neural processes

consequences of having too much or too little of dopamine in the body; it can cause several disease conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and drug addiction. According to Dr Anaya Mandal, “dopamine is produced in the dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) of the midbrain, the substantia nigra pars compacta, and the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus”. Basal ganglia is part of the brain that controls and regulates movement (Mandal, 2015). It helps a number of functions such

Addiction Students stroll in to class, their Venti iced soy vanilla lattes in hand rather than a notebook and pen. Keurig coffeemakers are commonplace in college dorm rooms. Colleges boast the number of Starbucks shops they have on campus. Just a month into the school year, and already many students’ bodies are becoming tolerant to caffeine, needing more and more of it to achieve the desired boost of energy, and if not given their fix, rebelling by causing headaches and irritability. Could it

system (brain reward pathway), and dopamine its most important neurotransmitter (Koob, Le Moal, 1997). The dopaminégicos brain neurons that circuit are preferably located in the ventral tegmental area, projecting above for the nucleus accumbens and the prefrontal cortex (Tzschentke, 2001). The liberation of dopamine in these areas is involved with reward and positive reinforcement for certain type of behavior is well known that the action of cocaine causes such effect. Physiologically, these brain regions