Which neurotransmitter is not typically associated with the reuptake actions of cocaine?

Prepare for the Addiction Medicine Boards. Study using interactive flashcards and multiple-choice questions with explanations. Ace your exam efficiently!

Cocaine primarily exerts its effects by blocking the reuptake of key neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. By preventing their reabsorption into neurons, cocaine increases the levels of these neurotransmitters in the synaptic cleft, enhancing their signaling effects.

Dopamine is closely related to the pleasure and reward pathways in the brain, which is why cocaine is known for its euphoric effects. Norepinephrine is involved in alertness and the body’s fight or flight response, while serotonin plays a significant role in mood regulation.

Endorphins, on the other hand, are endogenous opioids that primarily modulate pain and signal feelings of pleasure. They do not have a direct association with the reuptake mechanisms that cocaine influences. Instead, endorphins are released in response to stress, pain, and exercise and act primarily through opioid receptors, rather than through the mechanisms influenced by cocaine’s reuptake inhibition.

Thus, the neurotransmitter not typically associated with the reuptake actions of cocaine is endorphins, as they function differently than the other neurotransmitters mentioned in the context of cocaine's action in the brain.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy