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Exam 2 Chapter 7
How drugs and hormones influence the brain and behavior
29
Psychology
Undergraduate 2
02/19/2009

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Term
Psychopharmacology
Definition
Study of how drugs affect the nervous system and behavior
Term
Psychoactive drug
Definition
Substance that acts to alter mood, thought, or behavior and is used to manage neuropsychological illness
Term
Agonist
Definition
Substance that enhances the function of a synapse
Term
antagonist
Definition
substance that blocks teh function of a synapse
Term
Barbiturate
Definition
Drug that produces sedation and sleep
Term
Antianxiety agent
Definition
Drug that reduces anxiety; miinor traquillizers such as benzodiazepines and sedative-hypnotic agents are of this type
Term
Tolerance
Definition
Lessening of response to a drug over time
Term
Cross-tolerance
Definition
response toa novel druge is reduced because of tolerance developed in response to a related drug
Term
Fetal alcohol syndrome
Definition
Pattern of physical malformation and mental retardaton observed n some children born of alcoholic mothers
Term
Major tranquilizer
Definition
Drug that blocks the D2 receptor; used mainly for treating schizophrenia
Term
Sopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia
Definition
Proposal that schizophrenic sypmtoms are due to excess activity of the neurotransmitter dopamine
Term
Monoamine oxidase inhibitor
Definition
Antidepressant drug that blocks the enzyme monoamine oxidase from degrading neurotransmitters such as dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin
Term
Tricyclic antidepressant
Definition
First generation antidepressant drug with a chemical structure characterized by three rings that blocks serotonin reuptake transporter proteins
Term
Second generation antidepressent
Definition
Drug whose action is similar to tricyclics but more sective in its action on the serotonin reuptake transporter proteins; also called atypical antidepressant
Term
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
Definition
Tricyclic antidepressant drug that blocks the reuptake of serotonin into the presynaptic terminal
Term
Narcotic analgesic
Definition
Drug like morphine, with sleep-inducing and pain-relieving properties
Term
Endorphin
Definition
Peptide hormone that acts as a neurotransmitter and may be associated with feelings of pain or pleasure; mimicked by opioid drugs such as morphine, heroin, opium and codeine
Term
Amphetamine
Definition
Drug that releases the neurotransmitter dopamine into its synapse and, like cocaine, blocks dopamine reuptake
Term
Psychedelic drug
Definition
drug that can alter sensation and perception; lysergic acid dielthlymide, mescalin, and psilocybin are examples
Term
Substance abuse
Definition
Use of a drug for the psychological and behavioral changes that it produces aside from its therapeutic effects
Term
Addiction
Definition
Desire fora drug manifestd by frequent use of the drug, leading to the development of physical dependence in addition to abuse; often associated with tolerance and unpleaseant sometimes dagerous, withdrawal symptoms on cessation of drug use.  Also called substance dependence
Term
Withdrawal symptoms
Definition
Physical and psychological behaviors displayed by an addict when drug use ends
Term
Psychomotor activation
Definition
increased behavioral and cognitive activity; at certain levels of consumption, the drug user feels energetic and in control
Term
Incentive salience
Definition
Quality acquired by drug cues that become highly  desired and sought-after incentives in their own right
Term
Incentive-sensitization theory
Definition
When a drug is associated with certain cues, the cues themselves elicit desire for the drug; also called wanting - and - liking theory
Term
Disinhibition theory
Definition
Explanation holding that alcohol has a selctive depressant effect on the cortex, the region of the brain that controls judgement, while sparing subcortical structures responsible for more primitive instincts, such as desire
Term
Alcohol myopia
Definition
"Nearsighted" behavior displayed under the influence of alcohol: local and immediate cues become prominent and remote cues and consequences are ignored
Term
Glucocorticoid
Definition
One of a group of steroid hormones, such as cortisol, secreted in times of stress; important in protein and carbohydrate metabolism
Term
Posttraumatic stress disorder
Definition
Syndrome characterized by physiological arousal symptoms related to recurring memories and dreams related to a traumatic event-for months or years after the event
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