Where drugs act: the brain's regions

Gives you the geography: which region controls breathing, movement, reward and mood — so a drug's effects map to places.

Dónde encajaSe conecta con 2 · Desbloquea 2

Se conecta con: Dopamine: receptor families, clearance and pathways — Dopamine pathways run between these regions (VTA → nucleus accumbens, substantia nigra → striatum).
Primary effects and side effects — Side effects often come from the same target in a different region.
Desbloquea: The neuron and the action potential — Zoom from regions into the cells that make them up.
Dopamine: receptor families, clearance and pathways — You'll need the VTA, nucleus accumbens and substantia nigra for dopamine pathways.

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Peripheral nervous system (PNS) – nerves that project from spinal cord to rest of body, and nerves within organs. Central nervous system (CNS) – brain and spinal cord. For psychoactive drugs, primary effects are due to CNS action; sometimes side effects are due to PNS activity. The brain divides into hindbrain, midbrain and forebrain (diencephalon and telencephalon).

Términos del curso

Las palabras de tu profesor, tal cual aparecen en las diapositivas. Aprende el término y esta definición; la explicación de abajo solo ayuda a entenderla.

Peripheral nervous system (PNS): “Nerves that project from spinal cord to rest of body”Diapositivas 02, p. 2
Also nerves within organs. Some side effects of psychoactive drugs come from here.
Central nervous system (CNS): “Brain and spinal cord”Diapositivas 02, p. 2
Where psychoactive drugs have their primary effects.
Brain stem (pons, medulla): “Brain stem - controls crucial bodily functions”Diapositivas 02, p. 4
Respiration, heart rate/blood pressure, digestion, sleep/wakefulness. Inhibited respiration is the major fatal overdose risk (opioids vs. cannabis).
Cerebellum: “Inhibition of cerebellum results in ataxia (as seen in alcohol use)”Diapositivas 02, p. 4
The cerebellum handles balance, coordination, movement and posture integration; ataxia = loss of coordination.
Ventral tegmental area (VTA): “Connects to limbic system, role in reward and motivation (and therefore drug seeking behaviors)”Diapositivas 02, p. 5
Midbrain tegmentum, next to the substantia nigra.
Thalamus: “Sensory “relay station””Diapositivas 02, p. 6
Important role in perception and sensory attention.
Hypothalamus: “Eating, drinking, sleeping, temperature control (homeostasis)”Diapositivas 02, p. 6
Also controls hormone release in pituitary and pineal glands, sexual behavior and sleep regulation.
Basal ganglia / striatum: “Damaged in Parkinson’s disorder”Diapositivas 02, p. 7
Striatum = caudate nucleus + putamen; receives connections from substantia nigra; large role in movement.
Nucleus accumbens (NAc): “Reward circuit”Diapositivas 02, p. 8
Limbic system; receives connections from VTA.
Amygdala and hippocampus: “Contributes to regulation of mood, affect, emotion, responses to emotional experiences”Diapositivas 02, p. 8
Also learning and memory.

De tu curso: Course slides 02, pp. 2–9

Consejo: las teclas ← y → recorren la lección.

Lección completa: CNS/PNS and brain regions