Author Question: Describe the role of dopamine in reinforcing brain stimulation. What will be an ideal ... (Read 66 times)

iveyjurea

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 555
Describe the role of dopamine in reinforcing brain stimulation.
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Discuss the role of the NMDA receptor in LTP.
 
  What will be an ideal response?



janieazgirl

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 300
Answer to Question 1

Answer: The ventral tegmental area (VTA) projects to the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) via the mesolimbic dopamine pathway. Increases of dopamine within the NAcc are reinforcing. Natural reinforcers (food for a hungry rat) will elicit this increase in DA, as will drugs of abuse such as amphetamine that are also reinforcing (i.e., rats will make a response that delivers the drug into their blood stream or directly into the NAcc).

Answer to Question 2

Answer: NMDA receptors are found in the hippocampus, are activated by glutamate and depolarization, and control a calcium channel in the postsynaptic dendrite. Blockade of NMDA receptors, using AP5, blocks the formation of LTP.



Related Topics

Need homework help now?

Ask unlimited questions for free

Ask a Question
 

Did you know?

Earwax has antimicrobial properties that reduce the viability of bacteria and fungus in the human ear.

Did you know?

According to research, pregnant women tend to eat more if carrying a baby boy. Male fetuses may secrete a chemical that stimulates their mothers to step up her energy intake.

Did you know?

Most women experience menopause in their 50s. However, in 1994, an Italian woman gave birth to a baby boy when she was 61 years old.

Did you know?

Blood is approximately twice as thick as water because of the cells and other components found in it.

Did you know?

Many of the drugs used by neuroscientists are derived from toxic plants and venomous animals (such as snakes, spiders, snails, and puffer fish).

For a complete list of videos, visit our video library