Anatomy & Physiology Fundamentals Flashcards

Delta FosB (ΔFosB) is a transcription factor implicated in addiction. Its significance lies primarily in that it:

Answer: Accumulates with repeated drug exposure and persists for weeks, altering gene expression

Unlike other Fos family proteins, ΔFosB is highly stable and accumulates with repeated drug exposure, persisting weeks after cessation and causing long-term changes in gene expression underlying addiction.

The insula cortex has been increasingly recognized as important in addiction. Its primary contribution to addictive disorders is:

Answer: Processing interoceptive signals and drug craving/urge to use

The insula integrates interoceptive bodily sensations (such as withdrawal discomfort) and is critically involved in the subjective 'urge to use' and craving in addiction.

Naltrexone blocks opioid receptors competitively. Its efficacy for alcohol use disorder is thought to be mediated by blocking which physiological response?

Answer: Blocking endogenous opioid-mediated dopamine release triggered by alcohol

Alcohol stimulates endogenous opioid release, which then drives dopamine release in the NAc; naltrexone blocks this opioid-mediated reward pathway, reducing alcohol's reinforcing effects.

Which physiological parameter best describes the fraction of an orally administered drug that reaches systemic circulation unchanged?

Answer: Bioavailability (F)

Bioavailability (F) represents the fraction of an administered dose that reaches systemic circulation in active form, accounting for absorption and first-pass metabolism.

The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) is critically impaired in addiction. This impairment most directly results in which clinical manifestation?

Answer: Deficits in working memory and inhibitory control over drug-seeking

The dlPFC mediates working memory, planning, and inhibitory control; its dysfunction in addiction reduces the capacity to resist cravings and override automatic drug-seeking behaviors.

Cannabinoid receptors (CB1) are most densely expressed in which brain region relevant to addiction and motor coordination?

Answer: Basal ganglia, cerebellum, and hippocampus

CB1 receptors are densely expressed in the basal ganglia (reward), cerebellum (coordination), and hippocampus (memory), explaining cannabis effects on these functions.

The concept of 'allostasis' in addiction theory (Koob & Le Moal) refers to:

Answer: The brain achieving stability through change, with a progressively shifting reward/stress set point during addiction

Allostasis in addiction describes how the brain achieves stability through progressive changes in reward and stress set points, leading to dysphoria when not using drugs and driving compulsive use.