The Reward System

a.     What is the normal role of the reward system?

 

 

b.     How do we know that the reward system is involved in addiction?

 

 

c.     How does evidence of the reward system support conclusions from behavioral studies?

 

 

d.     Based on behavioral studies, do you think drugs may do more in the brain than effect the reward system?

 

 

2.     Anatomy of a Neuron

a.     Fill in the names of each part of the neuron.  What does each part do?

 

 

 

 

 

b.     What types of signals are used to transmit messages (electrical or chemical)?

 

 

c.     Describe 2 ways scientists can measure the activity of a neuron. Would you expect different results?  

 

 

3.     Drugs and Dopamine

a.     Explain how dopamine signals are transmitted across the synapse.

 

 

 

b.     Indicate where different drugs disrupt normal dopamine signals.

 

 

 

c.     Why is it important to study how different drugs work?