1
Q
Neurons
A
the functional unit of the brain
- Capable of generating and transmitting electrical signals
- Can communicate via synaptic or neuro transmission
2
Q
Parts of a neuron:
A
- axon
-dendrites - synapse
-myelin sheath
3
Q
Dendrites
A
Projections of a neuron that receive signals from other neurons
4
Q
Axon
A
Slender projection that conducts electrical impulses (action potentials) away from the cell body and towards the next cell in the pathway
5
Q
Synapse
A
-When the electrical impulse reaches the end of the axon, it enters the synapse (aka the neuronal junction)
-Here it is transferred from one neuron to the dendrites of a second neuron
6
Q
Myelin Sheath
A
-Fatty substance that surrounds nerve cells
-Forms a sheath around the axon of the neuron, providing a layer of insulation and increasing the rate of transmission along the axon
7
Q
The most important area of the brain that undergoes development is
A
frontal lobe
8
Q
The frontal lobe is responsible for:
A
-Planning
-Goal-directed behavior
-Decision-making
-Complex problem solving
- Cognitive control (ex. suppressing impulses)
9
Q
he last regions of the brain to fully develop are
A
those governing higher level decision making, delayed gratification, and integrative cognitive functioning
10
Q
what in the brain changes with age
A
cortical grey matter
11
Q
Grey matter is highest in
A
late childhood, decreases during adolescence and slowing increases again in late 20s
12
Q
what brain regions undergo most development
A
anterior
13
Q
as grey matter is decreasing, white matter is
A
increasing
14
Q
Brain development peaks in
A
early to middle adulthood
15
Q
Why do changes in the brain occur?
A
- Increased speed of transmission via:
1. Myelination
2. Axonal Growth
3. Synaptic Pruning
16
Q
Synaptic Pruning
A
The process where extra neurons and synaptic connections are eliminated in order to increase the efficiency of neuronal transmission
17
Q
Adolescents are more likely to take risks when
A
with friends
17
Q
improved connectivity
A
Improved connectivity between different brain regions results in larger and more widely distributed neural networks, which is critical for a variety of higher level functions such as learning new complex information, integrating new learning and applying it
17
Q
Leading cause of death from 10-24 years is
A
accidents mostly from risk taking
17
Q
Changes in the Brain during Early Adulthood
A
- Synaptic pruning
- Increased myelination
- Improved connectivity
17
Q
Substance use falls within a spectrum of
A
use, misuse and abuse
18
Q
Substance use
A
use of a psychoactive (affects brain function) substance
18
Q
Substance misuse
A
use of a psychoactive substance in a way that causes concern and/or elevates the risk of reduced well being and poor mental health
18
Q
Substance disorder
A
clinically significant abuse or dependency which includes psychological and physiological aspects of addiction
19
diagnostic criteria dor substane use disorder
Worsening physical health and or mental health
Failure to meet responsibilities
Associated losses
Relationships problems
20
During the critical period of brain development in early adolescence, the brain is susceptible to
toxins such as alcohol and drug misuse
21
Substance abuse during critical development period is associated with a number of
structural and functional changes in the brain including:
-Mh concerns/disorders
-cognition
-attention
-learning
-motivation
22
Attention changes from substance use
-Substance misuse is associated with reduced sustained attention, distraction and errors
-Using stimulant medication does not help concentration unless you have a diagnosable attention deficit disorder
23
substance use and MH
-Substance use can contribute to the development and worsening of mental health problems including poor sleep, anxiety, depression and psychosis
-These problems increase the use of substance in turn
24
substance use and Learning
Regular cannabis use and alcohol misuse is associated with poorer university performance and higher dropout rates
25
Substance use and motivation
Low drive and low motivation are associated with substance misuse, esp regular cannabis use which is associated with an amotivational syndrome
26
Alcohol primarily acts on the
CNS and functions as a depressant, meaning it slows neural processes and communication
27
alcohol effects include
disruptions in decision making, slowing of thinking and responsing, and trouble with motor coordination
28
bing drinking numbers
4 or more in females and 5 or more in males
29
Negative outcomes associated with binge drinking include:
○ Risk of physical harm
○ Blackouts and forgetting
○ Hangovers
Poor academic performance
30
occasional vs regular binge drinking
occasional binge drinking is considered a form of substance misuse, regular binge drinking is considered a form of substance abuse
31
short term effects of Alcohol
- perking up (reduced anxiety and mild disinhibition)
- slowed brain activity after 1-2 drinks
32
BAC correlated with
biological and neurocognitive effects - affecting the dopamine system and GABA and Glutamate systems
33
Dopaminergenic system:
pathway in CNS that controls voluntary movement, reward system, motivation, working memory and regulation of emotion
34
GABA and Glutamate systems:
work together to control processes like the overall level of excitation
35
Too much alcohol can lead to
hangover, then stupor, then coma then death from alcohol poisoning
36
alcohol is associated with
poor sleep, nausea, irritated stomach, diarrhea, dehydration, increased urination, and heart palpitations
37
Cannabis
- Second most commonly abused substance among youth
- A psychoactive drug derived from the sativa plan
38
Cannabis acts on the
CNS and has variable effects depending on the ratio of active ingredients
39
Cannabinoids
- natural or endogenous
- act on receptors all over the body to promote normal funtioning
40
endocannabinoid system
involved in a number of widespread actions such as appetite, pain, immune system, concentration and well-bring therefore, using exogenous cannabis disrupts this system
41
regular cannabis use is associated with increased risk of
worsening or new onset of mental health problems
42
regular cannabis use is associated with decreased risk of
cognitive efficiency, memory, reaction time and motivation
43
with regular use, cannabis can have persistent effects on
brain function, motivation, and mental health, as well as increase risk of physical diseases (CVD, lung disease and cancer)
44
CBD
-second most abundant cannabinoid in the plant after THC
-has potential therapeutic effects
45
potential therapeutic effects of CBD
- counterbalancing effects of THC
- alleviating pain, movement disorders, nausea, calming
46
only enough evidence to support CBD in treating
nausea associated with chemotherapy, increasing appetite in HIV patients, and treating some forms of chronic or neuropathic pain
47
Alcohol and cannabis are both
CNS depressants
48
stimulants
-increase brain activity
-act on receptors to block reuptake or stimulate release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, increasing effects
49
most common stimulant
caffeine
50
popular reasons for caffeine use include:
- to feel awake/alter
-prevent drowsiness
-improve concentration & academic performance
- social aspects
- improve energy and mood
-reduce stress
51
Positive effects of caffeine use
-moderate doses (1-2 cups) can increase well-being and happiness, energy, alertness, and socialness
52
Guideline reccomendations for caffeine
- adolescents should not consume more than 100mg of caffeine per day
-adults should limit consumption to no more than 400 mg per day
53
Length of caffeine effects
-avg half life of caffeine is 5 hrs
-caffinated food/drinks should not be consumed after 5pm to not impact sleep
54
high doses of caffeine may produce
anxiety, jitters, upset stomach
55
too much caffeine can
have reverse effect and cause restlessness, nervousness, inattention/distractability, irritable mood, insomnia and sleep disruption and lower energy
56
individuals can develop tolerance to caffeine with
other stimulant drugs
57
withdrawal symptoms of caffeine
heart rate increases, changes in BP, shakiness, reduced cognitive function
58
non-medical prescription drug
use without prescription or use for reasons other than what the emdication is intended
59
medications commonly misused by younger people in higher education include
stimulants and other illicit drugs
60
research and reasoning for non medical use stimulants
to improve academic performance and social life, to cope with stress and recreation or down-time
61
Evidence and Advantages of Use
-lack of evidence for academic advantage
-for students who do not have ADHS, stimulant medication will not improve academic performance
62
Harms of using non-medically prescribed stimulants
- cardiovascular events
-increased risk behaviours
-poorer well being
-anxiety and agitation
-poor concenntration
-sleep problems
63
Ketamine
- powerful anesthetic effects sometimes used in surgery (mostly for animals now)
64
recreational effects of ketamine
- range from causing feelings of relaxation and happiness to causing people to feel dram-like and detached
- causes altered perception and hallucinations
-impossible to tell if laced with other substances
65
common names for ketamine
Special K, Donkey dust, vitamin K
66
Research effects of ketamine
- reduces sensation in the body (lead to injury)
-dissociative effects (may loose ability to move and respond to environmnet), sometimes referred to as K hole
67
MDMA
synthetic drug that is chemically similar to hallucinogens and stimulants
68
MDMA produces
-feeling of increased energy, pleasure, emotional warmth, and distorted sensory and time perception
69
WHat neural chemical does MDMA affect
- dopamine
- sertotonin
-noreepinephrine
70
Names for MDMA
-ecstasy
-molly
71
research effects of MDMA
- single use can cause unpleasant feelings and withdrawal including nausea, muscle cramping, blurred vision, faintness, chills and sweats, and trouble concentrating
72
limited use effects of MDMA
irritable mood, aggression, depression, anxiety, sleep problems, memory and attention problems, decreased appetite and pleasure
73
Cocaine
- highly addictive stimulant from coca plant
74
Concaine primarily affects
the level of dopamine in the brain
75
After taking cocinae,
user initially experiences a flood of dopamine causing a feeling of pleasure and energy, training the brain to want more bc after the high there is a crash
76
names for cocaine
crack, coke, blow, rock, snow
77
research effects of cocaine
-with repeated use, cocaine disrupts the dopamine circuits, making it hard to enjoy daily life
-tolerance builds
78
withdrawal symptoms of cocaine
depression, restlessness, disrupted sleep, slowed thinking, tired, increased appetite
79
using cocaine too much or in combination with other substances can cause sudden
cardiac death
80
rates of binge drinking in university studets
minority binge drink
81
Binge drinking is a risk factor for many negative outcomes including:
- accidents
-vulnerable to assault
-poorer well being
- relationship problems
-mental health problems
82
Binge drinking outcomes in university students specifically
worse academic outcomes, including lower academic engagement and lower grades
83
pre-clinical research on animals regarding CBD
may be potentially helpful for anxiety but insufficinet evidence in systematic human research for the use of CBD in treating anxiety or depression
84
only evidence supporting medical use of cannabis (CBD & THC) is for
patients receiving chemotherapy to treat associated nausea and vomiting, in HIV patients to stimulate appetite, and treatment of cancer or neuropathic pain
85
regular cannabis use is associated with
lower motivation/ambition, slowing brain processing speed and efficiency
86
can some people function normally or better with cannabis
no
87
everyday tasks that using cannabis impairs
driving, reaction time, object tracking, working memory, attention and decision making
88
Cannabis use during brain development
may have negative impact on cognitive function
89
Cannabis disruption natural endocannabinoids
the use of "external' (smoked or ingested" distrups the natural function of the endocannabinoid system and interferes with the natural fine-tuning and regulation of brain development and function
90
do legal drugs have higher rates of mortality and illicit drugs
yes
91
taking stimulant medication can increase
alterness, heart rate, breathing and BP
92
stimulant drugs in those with ADHD
improve attention, reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity
93
academic performance an stimulant misusers
lower, could be because misuse replaces healthier, more effective studying/learning strageties
94
stimulant medication misuse is associated with
mental and physical health risks - in particular, psychotic disorders (schizophrenia) and serious heart problems
95
MDMA use predicts lasting changes in
serotonin, which affects a number of important functions, including mood, thinking and reward processing
96
cocaine use is asociated with
serious cardiovascular problems and high dependence potential leading to probable addiction
97
substance use is highly comorbid with
mental health conditions
98
what estimated percent of people that meet criteria for substance use disorder will also experience a mental illness and vise versa
50%
99
the relationship between substance use and mental health is
complex and bidirectional
100
how is substance use a risk factor for a mental disorder
if substance use preceeds the onset of a mental health problem
101
substance misuse/disorder can stem from
attemps to self-medicate or cope with stress or symptoms of emerging mental disorder through numbing, distraction and avoidance
102
substance use within the critical brain development period is associated with
a umber of structural and functional changes in the brain
103
substance use during early adulthood is associated with
- substance use problems and other behavioural addictions
-mental health symptoms, anxiety, intrusive thoughts, sleep disturbances, and depression
-alcohol/drug use behaviours with expectation of relief
-temporary low state of anxiety/distress
-increased use of substances to regulate distress
104
why is disrupting development with substance abuse associated with lower academic performance
because the frontal lobe is important for planning, goal-directed behaviour, complex problem-solving, decision-making, and cognitive control
105
social behaviours substance use can impact
exercise, developing positive social supports, engaging in hobbies, and coping with mindfulness
106
changes that persistent alcohol and drug use cause in the brain
- the brain actually shrinks
- ability to process info is damaged
- limbic system is affected (secretes less dopamine)
- frontal lobe affected (cant control impulses)
- Amygdala is affected (oversensitive to stress, trapped in state of panic and worry)
- Cellular structure affected (kills white, connective, cells)
107
can the brain heal from substance disorders
yes - they can return to normal brain function and full physical recovery
108
what risk increases with refular and high potency THC cannabis use
developing psychosis (schizophrenia)
109
Frequency of cannabis use and developing psychosis
risk increases when cannabis is used more frequently
110
Age at first use of cannabis related to psychosis
risk increases when cannbis use is initiated before the age of 16
111
Family history and cannabis use and developing psychosis
people with a family history of psychosis or schizophrenia who use cannabis are at greater risk
112
some drugs are riskier than others in terms of
neurological and psychological effects, and dependency potential
113
only way to avoid risk all together
remain abstinent from substances
114
Methods to reduce risk associated with substance abuse
- minimize frequency
- use modest amounts
-educate yourself
-be aware of what youre using
-plan ahead (dont use before activities that require alterness and attention)
115
CAMH reccomendations for reducing risk associated with cannabis use
-chose low strength products (low THC content or more CBD than THC)
-avoid certain activities after cannabis use (driving)
-biological considerations (using cannabis later in life is better, or dont use if you have family history, dont use if pregnant)
-don't combine risky behaviours (cannabis and alcohol)
-method of intake (inhaling is bad for lungs)
116
use of high potency THC can lead to
seizures, irregular heartbeat, hallucinations, and rarely death
117
some of the most significant warning signs that substances has become a problem relates to
impairment and functioning
118
impairment
relates to decrease in your ability to function in your daily life as a result of substance use
119
Common impairments
-difficulties with coping with stress, work, academic studies, in relationships
-declining mental and/or physical health
-financial problems
-legal reprucussions
-avoids engagement
IDIS 199
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