Overview

 **__THE BRAIN: Analyzing Neurobiology Through the Study of Addiction__** **__Big Picture__** Specific brain regions control specific brain functions The nervous system communicates by conveying information using electrical and chemical signals across synaptic junctions Drugs affect the biochemistry of the synaptic junctions in the reward system The most effective treatment of drug addiction is a controversial issue between the ‘disease-based’ and ‘behavioral-based’ schools of thought. Drug addiction can never be cured (or can it?) **__Essential Questions__** 1. Should all drug addicts be treated as criminals? 2. Can drug addiction be cured or just treated? 3. What separates legal from illegal drugs? 4. Why do some consider dopamine the most influential chemical in the body? 5. Is animal research into the effects and possible treatments for drug abuse warranted? **__Objectives__** The Brain: What’s Going On in There? 1. ___Examine and analyze the structure of a sheep’s brain 2.__ _Compare the major regions of the sheep brain with the human brain and identify the specific regions associated with different functions 3. ___Analyze PET Scans to determine the different areas associated with different activates, and explain that particular functions are localized to specific areas of the brain 4.__ _Describe how brain-imaging techniques allow scientists to study activity in the brain and localize the areas for specific activities and identify different brain imaging procedures 5. ___Identify the reward system of the brain 6.__ _Recognize that normal behaviors can activate the reward system in the brain and that drugs of abuse affect those same reward circuits 7. ___Explain the contrasting roles of the ‘old brain’ and ‘new brain’__ **Neurons and Synapses: The Art of Communication** 8. _Explain the hierarchical organization of the brain, neuron and synapse 9. ___Relate the structure of a neuron to its function 10.___Sequence the series of events that allow the transmission of a nerve impulse at the synapse 11. ___Describe how of inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters can influence nerve transmission at the synapse of neurons in series 12.__ _Explain the role of the blood brain barrier in drug transport **__Drugs: A New Form of Communication__** 13. ___Identify how drugs of abuse will interfere selectively with the neurotransmission at the synapse 14.__ _Explain how the route of administration and dosage of a drug determines its effect 15. ___Design an experiment, and collect data to investigate the effect of caffeine on heart rate 16.__ _Analyze experimental data and show how experimental data can lead to further investigations 17. ___Research the varied mechanisms of caffeine action on the biochemistry of the cell and investigate the half-life of caffeine 19.__ _Describe the action of major medications that work at the synapse **__Drug Abuse and Addiction__** 20. ___Explain how tolerance, withdrawl and cravings are related to drug abuse 21.__ _Distinguish between drug abuse and drug addiction 22. ___Explain the long-term physical and functional changes in the brain associated with drug abuse and addiction 23.__ _Recognize that addiction is influenced by the social and behavioral context of drug abuse 24. ___Examine the medical use of addictive drugs 25.__ _Analyze experimental data to identify the transition between drug addiction and drug abuse 26. ___Model the theoretical activity of drug users and determine how risk factors, choice and peer pressure may influence addiction 27.__ _Explain how environmental, behavioral and social factors influence drug abuse and addiction **__Where Do We Go From Here?__** 28. ___Explain the difference between acute and chronic diseases and how they relate to drug abuse and addiction 29.__ _Compare the treatment of addiction with other chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension 30. ___Explain the effects of methadone and naltrexone on heroin addiction 31.__ _Describe the most frequent attributes and principles of any drug treatment program 32. ___Examine the stories of different drug addicts and describe the consequences of their actions 33.__ _Read and summarize article on the biochemistry of drug addiction **__ Assessments __** Assessments will include….. ID of the different parts of the brain Illustrate the general action of neurotransmitters at the synapse Illustrate the actions of common drugs on the synapse Create a common antidote to a series of recreational drugs Discussion and summary of caffeine investigation results Write a position paper to support a judge’s decision to place a habitual drug offender in a treatment program rather than jail. Counsel a drug user on how to overcome their addiction Answering the essential questions either verbally or in writing Illustration of Scientific American article ‘The Addicted Brain’ Unit Evaluation