Careers and Addictions

EEG Technician An electorneuro diagnostic technician uses an electroencephalogram (EEG) to check for abnormalities in the brain Usually takes two years to earn an associate’s degree Salary is about $47,000 a year

Neurological Surgeon Obviously a doctor (MD) who performs surgery on the nervous system Four years of medical school, a year of internship, and then neurosurgical residency is an additional six years (16 years after HS) Starting salary is $400,000

Neuropathologist An M.D. or Ph.D. who studies diseases of the nervous system by examining tissues Approximately 7 years of medical school Salary begins at $100,000 per year

Neuropsychologist Studies brain/behavior relationships especially cognitive function 7 years of schooling to finishing a Ph.D. in neuropsychology Starting salary is $65,000

Addictions

Neurotransmitters Neurotransmitters are chemicals released from one neuron to another There are over 100 types of neurotransmitters in the brain alone

Types of Neurotransmitters Glutamate GABA Dopamine Endorphins Serotonin Norepinephrine Acetylcholine

How it Works

Addiction Addictions ARE a disease and currently a crime Once you are addicted, you really don’t have a choice about it Progressive, Chronic and Fatal Young brains are at risk due to their unique stage of development Very treatable

Reward Pathway There is a certain area of every brain called the “reward pathway” This pathway is activated every time one performs an action that satisfies a need or fulfills a desire Activated means it receives a neurotransmitter called dopamine

Addiction and Brain Chemistry Once the reward center is flooded with dopamine, the area of the brain that controls memory, the hippocampus, lays down memories of the pleasure Stressors or something associated with the stimuli can make your brain crave the drug, triggering a reuse or relapse

Korsakoff’s Syndrome Many alcoholics subsist mainly on their alcohol Because of this, over 80% of alcoholics have a deficiency in thiamine This leads to very severe brain defects These people essentially act like they have Alzheimer’s – significantly impaired memory and motor coordination, trouble learning anything new