Addiction Medicine Certification Neurobiology of Addiction

Question 1

Which neurotransmitter is primarily associated with the reward pathway in addiction?

Accepted Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Serotonin

Answer

GABA

Answer

Glutamate

Question 2

The mesolimbic dopamine pathway originates in which brain region?

Accepted Answer

Ventral tegmental area

Answer

Prefrontal cortex

Answer

Nucleus accumbens

Answer

Hippocampus

Question 3

What neuroadaptation to repeated drug exposure is the primary basis of tolerance?

Accepted Answer

Downregulation of dopamine receptors

Answer

Upregulation of dopamine receptors

Answer

Increased dopamine synthesis

Answer

Decreased dopamine reuptake

Question 4

Which brain region plays the most central role in drug craving and reward processing?

Accepted Answer

Nucleus accumbens

Answer

Cerebellum

Answer

Brain stem

Answer

Spinal cord

Question 5

The 'allostatic model' of addiction describes which phenomenon?

Accepted Answer

A chronic shift in the brain's reward set point leading to negative affect

Answer

The acute euphoric effects of drugs

Answer

The development of physical dependence alone

Answer

The progression from casual to compulsive use in a single episode

Question 6

Which system becomes hyperactive during drug withdrawal and contributes to dysphoria and anxiety?

Accepted Answer

Brain stress systems including CRF and dynorphin

Answer

Mesolimbic dopamine system

Answer

Endocannabinoid system

Answer

Cholinergic system

Question 7

In the context of addiction, neuroplasticity refers to:

Accepted Answer

Persistent drug-induced changes in neural structure and function that underlie compulsive behavior

Answer

The brain's ability to metabolize and detoxify drugs

Answer

The acute intoxicating effects of a substance

Answer

The development of organ-level tolerance to alcohol