Download Dopamine - mindprojectPDG

An Introduction to the
Virtual Neuroscience Lab
Series
Introduction to Me
Darci J. Harland
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12 years high school biology/science
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Ph.D in Educational Technology
MIND project role:
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Biology expert
Meet with scientists
Story board the modules
Create professional development materials
Communicate with the computer animators
Support teachers who implement our Virtual
Labs
2
History of The MIND Project
 The
Vision: Design virtual online
laboratories
 Bringing
cutting edge science &
research into the high school
classroom
 Provide realistic simulation science
experiences
 NIH grant: SEPA
3
Virtual Neurotransmitter
Lab: Cocaine Study
A look at the role of dopamine
in the brain through current
research.
Virtual Neuroscience Lab #1:
Cocaine Addiction Lab
Introductory Video
 Ways to implement
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Use animated graphics
Individual or groups
Teach scientific method
& data collection
Quizzes
5
Objectives
Describe the 2 stages of motivation in
behavior.
 Identify the location and function of
dopamine neurons in the brain.
 Identify the role of dopamine in behavior.
 Describe the possible role of dopamine in
drug addiction.
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A Review of Neuronal Signaling
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How do neurons communicate with each
other?
Neurotransmission model
Dopamine Neurons in the Brain
Based on these diagrams, what parts of the brain
does dopamine affect ? What impact does this have
on the organism?
Dopamine in the Brain
Dopamine neurons terminate in the
nucleus accumbens
 The nucleus accumbens’ output neurons
terminate in the prefrontal cortex
 The prefrontal cortex contains the limbic
system, which is the center of the brain
for pleasure, pain, anger, rage, panic,
aggression (fight-flight-freeze responses),
and basic sexual responses.
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Dopamine and Cocaine
Cocaine blocks the dopamine receptors on
the axons of neurons
 Dopamine that is released can not be
taken up
 The excess extracellular dopamine alters
the individual’s state of mind, resulting in
a “high”
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Dopamine & Behavior
Log into the Virtual Neuroscience Lab #1 –
Cocaine Study
 Click on “Desk Area”
 Read Book 3, Chapter 1 and answer the
first 5 pre-lab questions in the virtual lab
notebook
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Pre-lab Questions (Virtual Lab Notebook)
1.
What are the two phases of motivated
behavior?
- Appetitive and Consummatory
2. What is known about the effects of
cocaine on dopamine levels in the brain?
- Cocaine increases the levels of dopamine in the brain
Pre-lab Questions (Virtual Lab Notebook)
3. What is the hypothesis being tested in
this experiment?
- Dopamine levels will increase during the cocaine
seeking phase of behavior.
4. If the hypothesis is true, then what
should you observe?
- Dopamine levels should go up when the rat is looking
for cocaine (before it gets cocaine).
5. What is the name of the method used to
measure dopamine levels?
- Fast scan cyclic voltammetry
Activity
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Perform the cocaine study and write your
article.
Debrief
Talk to a neighbor: how could you use
this?
 Assessments
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The Virtual Stroke Lab
Virtual Neuroscience Lab #2: Stroke
Introduction Video
Student Experience: Video game
feel with information given only
when needed
Students can do this individually,
small groups or as a demo.
Virtual Neuroscience Lab #2: Stroke (cont.)
Web-based, no special
software needed
Information in EMR:
facts students use to
make decisions.
Professional
Development: answers,
implementation ideas,
and standards
Objectives
Describe stroke symptoms
 Choose primary & secondary diagnostic
tests for a specific patient.
 Interpret the results of a CT scan & CT
angiogram to identify the area of the
bleed & structure of an aneurysm.
 Perform a scientific procedure to save the
life of our patient.
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Introduction to Stroke (students)
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What happens when blood can’t get to
certain areas of the body?
Body Part
Lungs
Heart
Brain
Kidneys
What Happens
Lung cells die; can’t
exchange CO2 & O2
Heart cells die; part of
heart can’t pump
Brain cells die; brain
neurons can’t send impulses
Kidney cells die; can’t
remove wastes
Condition name
Pulmonary embolus
Heart attack;
myocardial infarction
Stroke
Renal vein thrombosis
Activity #1
Log on and complete the Virtual Stroke
Lab as a student
 Take your time, and enjoy the lab
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Debrief Discussion
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Pair up with someone & discuss
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General likes/dislike comments
Assessment paperwork