Question

Studies indicate that cocaine craving is associated with?

1) increased activation of the parietal cortex.
2) activation of neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex.
3) increased blood flow in the anterior cingulate cortex.
4) decreased activation of the orbitofrontal cortex.
5) decreased dopamine production in the nucleus accumbens.

Answer 1

Cocaine cravings are typically associated with the activation of neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex, due to cocaine's effects on dopamine levels in the reward pathways of the brain, which contribute to its high and addictive qualities.

Step-by-step explanation:

Studies indicate that cocaine craving is associated with activation of neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex (2). Cocaine acts as a potent stimulant by preventing the reuptake of dopamine, a key neurotransmitter involved in the reward pathway of the brain. This results in high levels of dopamine in the synapse, which stimulates the pleasure centers and is thought to be responsible for the drug's euphoric high and addictive properties. After use, dopamine levels rapidly decrease, leading users into a state lacking pleasure and causing intense cocaine cravings.

Research has shown that repeated cocaine use can induce changes in brain function and structure, in particular within regions associated with reward, motivation, and memory. For example, a study by Muñoz-Cuevas et al. (2013) in Nature Neuroscience found that cocaine-induced structural plasticity in the frontal cortex correlates with conditioned place preference, indicating changes in the brain's response to cocaine's presence. Additionally, upon chronic cocaine use and subsequent withdrawal, symptoms can include depression and decreased ability to feel pleasure, underlining how cocaine addiction significantly impacts the brain's dopamine system.