Heroin

By: Tamar Deirmendjian and Luisa Conroy

Synaptic Transmission
1. Neurotransmitters are synthesized and stored in vesicles so that when an action potential arrives at the nerve ending, the cell is ready to pass it along to the next neuron.

2. Upon its arrival at the terminal, the neurotransmitter must be quickly and efficiently released into the synaptic cleft. The neurotransmitter is then recognized by selective receptors on the postsynaptic cell so that it can pass along the signal and initiate another action potential.

3. After, the neurotransmitter must be inactivated so that it does not continually occupy the receptor sites of the postsynaptic cell. Inactivation of the neurotransmitter avoids constant stimulation of the postsynaptic cell, while at the same time freeing up the receptor sites so that they can receive additional neurotransmitter molecules, should another action potential arrive.

Synaptic Transmission With Heroin

The mechanism by which heroin affects neurotransmission is unclear, but it is thought to increase the rate of vesicle fusion in the presynaptic neurons that use dopamine as a neurotransmitter. - The Neuro Network

What is dopamine?
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that helps control the brain's reward and pleasure centers. It also helps regulate movement and emotional responses, and it enables us not only to see rewards, but to take action to move toward them.

the effects of dopamine on the brain

Abusers typically report feeling a surge of pleasurable sensation - a "rush." Heroin is particularly addictive because it enters the brain so rapidly.

Long Term Effects

Tolerance develops: the abuser must use more heroin to achieve the same rush or feeling/effect.
As higher doses are used over time, physical dependence and addiction develop. With physical dependence, the body has adapted to the presence of the drug and withdrawal symptoms may occur if use is reduced or stopped.

Side Effects in Other Parts of the Body

After an injection of heroin, the user feels a surge of euphoria (the "rush") with a warm flushing of the skin, a dry mouth, and heavy extremities.
After this initial euphoria, a the user experiences a wakeful and drowsy state. Mental functioning becomes clouded due to the depression of the central nervous system. Other effects that heroin may have on users include respiratory depression, constricted pupils, and nausea.

Withdrawal, which may occur as early as a few hours after the last use, produces drug craving, restlessness, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, vomiting, cold flashes with goose bumps, kicking movements, and other symptoms.

Cont.
Chronic users may develop collapsed veins, infection of the heart lining and valves, abscesses, constipation and cramping, and liver or kidney disease.

 There are distinct areas of the brain involved in the response to substances, called the Pleasure Reward Pathway (PRP)

Physiology of Addiction

The PRP includes: the ventral tegmental area (VTA), nucleus accumbens (NA), and extends to the prefrontal cortex; they are activated by dopamine. The primary effect of stimulation of the PRP is an increased synaptic concentration of dopamine. The more you use drugs, the more your system will depend on it.

Recent Studies
Use is increasing in recent years
It is estimated that 607,000 persons per year used heroin in the years 20092011, compared to 374,000 during 2002-2005.

NEW users: 109,000 per year during 2002-2005 to 169,000 per year during 2009-2011
This study shows the neurological effects of the drug because it demonstrates how dependent the brain becomes off of heroin, and how the number of users continually increases because of the neurologial effects.

Resources
Anderson, L. "Heroin." Information from Drugs.com. Drugs.com, n.d. Web. 16 Nov. 2013. <http://www.drugs.com/heroin.html>.

Synaptic Transmission: A Four Step Process. Williams College Neuroscience, 1998. Web. <http://web.williams.edu/imput/introduction_main.html>.
"Physiology of Drug Abuse." RnCeus.com, 2007. Web. <http://www.rnceus.com/meth/neurophys.html>.