In: Biology
Describe:
how these drugs (including opiates, alcohol, nicotine, amphetamines, and cocaine) increase concentration of dopamine in synaptic cleft in at least three different ways.
opiates - GABA is a small neurotransmitter, and it travels across the synapse to the post synaptic membrane. they are recognized by GABA receptors. these GABA receptors contain opiate receptors. when opioids stimulate mu opiod receptors in the brain exogenous opioids reduced the amount of GABA released. so they prevent he GABA neurons sent fewer inhibitory signals to the dopamine neurons. the opiated ultimately increase the amount of dopamine produced from the axon terminal of the dopamine neurons in the nucleus accumbens
alcohol
drinking boosts a persons dopamine level. the brain produce to less chemicals, reduce number of dopamine receptors in the body. thereby there will be increase of dopamine transporters. which helps to avoid dopamines.
amphetamines
amphetamines increase concentration of dopamine in synaptic gaps. due to same structure of dopamine and amphetamine, Amphetamine enters through the dopamine transporters and by reactions amphetamines force the Dopamine to go out of their storage and expels to the synaptic gap. these also excite dopaminergic neuron via Dopaminergic neurons. releasing the natural brake, amphetamines will make Dopaminergic more readily excitable.
nicotine
binding the nicotine to their receptors helps to generate action potential in the neurons that cause dopamine production. nicotine helps to change of amount of dopamine produced in the neuron. dopamine is dropped when done smoking . and brain desire for an another dopamine boost.
Cocaine
Cocaine binds to the dopamine transporter that normally remove the excess of dopamine from the synaptic gap. Cocaine prevents dopamine being reabsorbed by the neurons that released them and thus it increases the concentration of dopamine in the synapses.