Question

Answer these questions using the drug Xanax

1.How is this drug classified (stimulant, opiate, hallucinogen, or depressant)?

2. How does this drug affect neurotransmitters (increases release, decreases release, mimics, blocks reuptake)? In some cases one or more may apply.

3. What specific neurotransmitter(s) does the drug affect?

4. What behaviors (select from the ‘Behaviors’ list) could a person exhibit as a result of using this drug? (Pick at least three from the list that are most likely).

5. Based on the behaviors you choose, which specific brain structures do you think are affected by the drug (use the ‘Structure Table’ to help you)? More specifically, which brain structures correspond with the behaviors? Make sure the brain structures correspond to the appropriate lines to match the behaviors you listed in question #5; for example, the Cerebral Cortex is associated with the relaxation of body muscles. Note that the structure may not exist in the table, as it is just for reference.

Behavior list

Relaxation of body muscles

High sensitivity to sensations

Nausea

Increased heart beat

Euphoria (feeling of extreme pleasure)

Drowsiness

Decreased appetite

Coma

Speech impairment

Intense emotions

Hallucinations

Relaxed euphoria (between waking and sleeping)

Anxiety relief

Impaired decision making

Death

Slowing of time

Alert/Wakefulness

Tremors

Structure Table

Structure	Function	Location
Cerebral Cortex	Sensation, perception, and body movement	Forebrain
Corpus Callosum	Connects cerebral hemispheres	Forebrain
Thalamus	Receives and relays sensory information	Forebrain
Hypothalamus	Regulates eating, drinking, and sexual responses	Forebrain
Amygdala	Forming, recognizing, and remembering emotional experiences	Forebrain
Hippocampus	Memories	Forebrain
Midbrain	Makes connections between forebrain and hindbrain	Midbrain
Pons	Makes chemicals for sleeping	Hindbrain
Cerebellum	Coordinates voluntary movements	Hindbrain
Medulla	Controls vital reflexes	Hindbrain

Answer 1

• 1)Xanax is classified as an anti depressent.Xanax is the brand name of alprazolam, a prescription drug used to treat anxiety disorders. Xanax is prescribed for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), anxiety associated with depression, and panic disorder.Xanax is made by Pfizer and was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1981. It's also available as a generic drug.
• Xanax and other benzodiazepines are among the most widely abused drugs available today.Xanax is often abused for the fast-acting, relaxed "high" it can give to people who take it, including people without a prescription.
• Benzodiazepines (Xanax) affect a key neurotransmitter in the brain called gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA). This neurotransmitter has an inhibitory effect on motor neurons, thus the presence of GABA slows or stops neuronal activity. Benzodiazepines enhance the activity of GABA, effectively slowing nerve impulses throughout the body.
• As a consequence of the enhancement of GABA's inhibitory activity caused by benzodiazepines, the brain's output of excitatory neurotransmitters, including norepinephrine (noradrenaline), serotonin, acetyl choline and dopamine, is reduced. Such excitatory neurotransmitters are necessary for normal alertness, memory, muscle tone and co-ordination, emotional responses, endocrine gland secretions, heart rate and blood pressure control and a host of other functions, all of which may be impaired by benzodiazepines.
• Due to time limit,remaining questions can be asked as another question,they will be answered,thankyou for your cooperation.