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Full-Text Articles in Psychology
Sex Differences In Ethanol Modulation Of Dopamine Release In The Mesolimbic Reward System, Mandy Parsons, Justin Bowman, Scott Steffensen
Sex Differences In Ethanol Modulation Of Dopamine Release In The Mesolimbic Reward System, Mandy Parsons, Justin Bowman, Scott Steffensen
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Alcohol abuse disorder is a ubiquitous problem affecting 15.1 million people in the United States, almost 10 million men and more than 15 million women (SAMHSA, 2015). The prevailing view of addiction, including alcohol addiction, is that an increase of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the nucleus accumbens within the brain has powerful rewarding effects. The purpose of this project was to evaluate the effects of alcohol on dopamine release in female rats during the three phases of the estrus cycle in order to determine if alcohol is more rewarding at different points in the female hormone cycle.
Role Of Sigma Receptors In Low-Dose Methamphetamine Modulation Of Dopamine Release In The Nucleus Accumbens, Gilbert Marchant, Scott Steffensen
Role Of Sigma Receptors In Low-Dose Methamphetamine Modulation Of Dopamine Release In The Nucleus Accumbens, Gilbert Marchant, Scott Steffensen
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Methamphetamine (METH) is an addictive drug of abuse and METH use is a growing problem in the United States. The current dogma states that psychostimulants such as METH attack the mesocorticolimbic dopamine (DA) system, leading to abnormally high DA release when drugs of abuse are taken (Volkow et al., 2004). A key target area of the mesocorticolimbic system is the nucleus accumbens (NAc). Specifically, DA release in the NAc has been associated with reward and motivation (Oleson et al. 2012).
The Effects Of Chronic Ethanol In Δ Knockout Mice, Zachary Gardner, Scott Steffensen
The Effects Of Chronic Ethanol In Δ Knockout Mice, Zachary Gardner, Scott Steffensen
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Substance abuse is a prolific problem with serious consequences. Specifically, alcohol abuse is the third leading cause of preventable mortality in the world (Mokdad et al., 2004). Each year the far-reaching effects of alcohol abuse cost the United States several hundred billion dollars annually (Office of National Policy, 2004). Treatment for individuals who suffer from this crippling disease is limited. In order to develop effective treatments we need to know more about the mechanisms of addiction and the changes that occur in the brain as a person becomes addicted.
Role Of Reactive Oxygen Species In Methamphetamine Modulation Of Dopamine Release In The Nucleus Accumbens, Tyler Ekins, Scott Steffensen
Role Of Reactive Oxygen Species In Methamphetamine Modulation Of Dopamine Release In The Nucleus Accumbens, Tyler Ekins, Scott Steffensen
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Methamphetamine (METH) abuse is a problem that continues to cause much harm across the United States. The cost of METH use in 2005 alone was estimated to be 23.4 billion dollars (Nicosia et al., 2009). Other societal costs of METH abuse include suicide attempts, premature death, increased health care expenses, loss of workplace productivity, incarceration, child maltreatment, foster care, violent crime, and theft (Nicosia et al., 2009). Understanding the mechanism by which METH acts on the brain is the first step in being able to synthesize a pharmacotherapeutic method to treat METH addiction.
The Effects Of Trilostane And Dheas On Dopamine Release In The Nucleus Accumbens, Tyler Okelberry, Dr. Scott Steffensen
The Effects Of Trilostane And Dheas On Dopamine Release In The Nucleus Accumbens, Tyler Okelberry, Dr. Scott Steffensen
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Alcohol dependency is a serious, widespread problem in the United States. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reported that “In 2009, the number of persons aged 12 or older needing treatment for an alcohol use problem was 19.3 million (7.7 percent of the population aged 12 or older).” 1 The following study contributed to a growing body of research about alcohol addiction and the brain. The study focused on a part of the brain called the nucleus accumbens. The release of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the nucleus accumbens has been implicated in the mental processes of reward and …
The Role Of Α6 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors On Dopamine Release, Michaela Squire, Dr. Scott Steffensen
The Role Of Α6 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors On Dopamine Release, Michaela Squire, Dr. Scott Steffensen
Journal of Undergraduate Research
With today’s society’s alcohol abuse, there has been a large economic burden of several hundred billion dollars annually. In addition, 80% of those who are dependent on alcohol are also smokers, and the use of nicotine has remained relatively high in those who use alcohol, displaying the co-dependence of nicotine and alcohol. Due to the high percentage of apparent co-dependence of nicotine and ethanol (EtOH), it has been theorized that the addictive nature of these drugs may act through similar mechanisms, specifically through nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) on presynaptic gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurons. The purpose of this project was to …