Communication in the Nervous System

The discussion topic for this unit will help you to apply your knowledge of communication in the nervous system to a substance use disorder. This will greatly aid you in understanding many aspects of substance use disorder such as how addiction occurs from a neuropsychological perspective and how treatment can be improved using neuropsychology. Through your readings this week you have learned how communication occurs in the nervous system utilizing electrical and chemical signals. For your discussion this week, you will need to discuss the role of neurotransmitters in either heroin or cocaine addiction.

As part of your response be sure to do the following:

• Identify the major symptoms of the substance use disorder you have chosen.
• Which neurotransmitters may be implicated in the problem you have chosen?
• How might the neurotransmitters implicated in the problem you have chosen be related to the major symptoms of the problem?
• How might an understanding of the role of neurotransmitters in addiction aid in treatment?