Question

from a topss unit lesson plan on consciousness, published by the american psychological association in 2018. this activity is intended for topss members for use in their classes. any further use requires additional apa permission. name: signature mouse party: drugs and neurotransmitters use the mouse party interactive from the university of utah genetic science learning center to explore effects of each of the drugs listed below. then, complete the table with this information: • identify which neurotransmitter is affected by the drug. • explain how the drug alters activity at the synapse. • identify the drug as an agonist/antagonist for that particular neurotransmitter. table with columns: drug, neurotransmitter(s), how does the drug alter activity at the synapse?, agonist or antagonist; rows: alcohol, cocaine, methamphetamine, lsd, marijuana, ecstasy, heroin. marijuana row has handwritten text: \dopamine\, \inhibitory\,
eurotransmitter\ (crossed out)

Answer:

To complete the table for "Mouse Party: Drugs and Neurotransmitters", we analyze each drug using the University of Utah's interactive and neurobiology principles:

1. Alcohol

• Neurotransmitter(s): GABA (inhibitory) and Glutamate (excitatory).
• How does the drug alter activity at the synapse? Increases GABA (inhibitory) signaling (slows neurons) and decreases Glutamate (excitatory) signaling (reduces brain activity).
• Agonist or Antagonist? Agonist for GABA (enhances its effects); Antagonist for Glutamate (blocks its effects).

2. Cocaine

• Neurotransmitter(s): Dopamine.
• How does the drug alter activity at the synapse? Blocks dopamine reuptake transporters, so dopamine remains in the synapse longer (intensifies reward signals).
• Agonist or Antagonist? Indirect agonist (increases dopamine availability by blocking reuptake).

3. Methamphetamine

• Neurotransmitter(s): Dopamine, Norepinephrine, Serotonin.
• How does the drug alter activity at the synapse? Forces neurotransmitters out of vesicles into the synapse and blocks reuptake, leading to prolonged signaling.
• Agonist or Antagonist? Indirect agonist (increases neurotransmitter availability).

4. LSD

• Neurotransmitter(s): Serotonin (5-HT).
• How does the drug alter activity at the synapse? Binds to serotonin receptors (especially 5-HT₂A) and activates them, disrupting normal serotonin signaling (causes hallucinations).
• Agonist or Antagonist? Agonist (activates serotonin receptors).

5. Marijuana (THC)

• Neurotransmitter(s): Endocannabinoids (Anandamide, 2-AG) – THC mimics these.
• How does the drug alter activity at the synapse? Binds to CB₁ receptors (inhibitory), reducing neurotransmitter release (e.g., GABA, Glutamate) and altering mood/sensory perception.
• Agonist or Antagonist? Agonist (mimics endocannabinoids).

6. Ecstasy (MDMA)

• Neurotransmitter(s): Serotonin, Dopamine, Norepinephrine.
• How does the drug alter activity at the synapse? Increases release of these neurotransmitters and blocks reuptake, leading to prolonged signaling (euphoria, empathy).
• Agonist or Antagonist? Indirect agonist (increases neurotransmitter availability).

7. Heroin

• Neurotransmitter(s): Endorphins (opioid system).
• How does the drug alter activity at the synapse? Binds to opioid receptors (μ-opioid), reducing pain signals and increasing dopamine release (reward).
• Agonist or Antagonist? Agonist (activates opioid receptors).

Filled Table:

DRUG	NEUROTRANSMITTER(S)	HOW DOES THE DRUG ALTER ACTIVITY AT THE SYNAPSE?	AGONIST OR ANTAGONIST
Cocaine	Dopamine	Blocks dopamine reuptake (prolongs signaling).	Indirect Agonist
Methamphetamine	Dopamine, Norepinephrine, Serotonin	Forces release + blocks reuptake of neurotransmitters (prolongs signaling).	Indirect Agonist
LSD	Serotonin (5-HT)	Activates 5-HT₂A receptors (disrupts normal signaling, causes hallucinations).	Agonist
Marijuana	Endocannabinoids (Anandamide, 2-AG) mimic	Binds to CB₁ receptors, reducing neurotransmitter release (e.g., GABA, Glutamate).	Agonist
Ecstasy	Serotonin, Dopamine, Norepinephrine	Increases release + blocks reuptake (prolongs signaling).	Indirect Agonist
Heroin	Endorphins (opioid system)	Binds to μ-opioid receptors (reduces pain, increases dopamine).	Agonist

Use the University of Utah’s Mouse Party interactive (https://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/addiction/mouse/) for visual confirmation of these mechanisms.