Objectives:
Describe the impact of a specific drug on neurotransmitter production or action in the brain.
Explain how that change in neurotransmitter activity affects the brain.
Investigate the role of another factor in drug addiction.
Background:
How do drugs affect the brain? Why are many of them addictive? In this activity you will be learning about how specific drugs alter the activity of neurotransmitters in the brain to produce specific responses and even partially explain addiction. Then you will be investigating at least one other factor, other than the biology of neurotransmitters, that explains addictive behavior.
Suggested Resources:
The Science of Addiction: Genetics and the Brain
Mouse Party
Procedure:
Choose a drug that has an impact on brain chemistry such as alcohol, cocaine, heroin, marijuana, methamphetamine, nicotine, or MDMA.
Use the Science of Addiction and Mouse Party sites to research and describe the effect of the drug on the neuron and brain activity.
Use the Science of Addiction site or another reputable resource to investigate another factor (other than neurotransmitters) involved in addiction.
Cite your sources using AMA format.
Respond to at least two other students.
Contribute to an ongoing discussion by responding to comments on your responses or by responding to other student’s responses.
References should be cited in proper AMA format.
