Addiction: Genetics and the Brain

In part 1, students label a diagram of a neuron with structure and function (use Make a Mad, Mad, Mad Neuron as a source). In part 2, they describe what is happening in a labeled diagram of a synapse (use Crossing the Divide as a source).

Use as worksheets for students to fill in as they explore the multimedia sources linked below. They may be used as a formative or summative assessment.

• The parts of a neuron work together to receive and send signals.
• Using neurotransmitters, neurons communicate with one another at a junction called the synapse.

15 minutes

Copies, individual student computers with internet access (if using the multimedia sources listed), headphones

In this poster-building activity, students place themselves at the center of a constellation. They surround themselves with the protective factors that they have (stars) and ones that they want to develop (planets).

Have students work individually

• Protective factors decrease the likelihood of risk-taking behaviors, including drug misuse.
• Individuals have the ability to increase their protective factors.

30 minutes

Large pieces of paper or poster board (one per student), glue, scissors

Copies of cut-outs (ideally on colored paper)

Risk and protective factors do not necessarily cause or prevent disease themselves. Some are causative, and others are markers that are associated with healthy or disease states.

Turn your classroom in to a giant synapse! Students take on the roles of key molecules and demonstrate communication between neurons. Includes clearly defined “job tags” and cut-out neurotransmitters and receptors that fit together like a lock and key.

Choose to model one or all scenarios: the reward pathway, cocaine and/or methamphetamine in the reward pathway, the pain pathway, opioids and naloxone in the pain pathway.

Use as a front-of-the room demonstration or assign to small groups. There are 12-16 “roles” for students depending on which pathway and drug extension you choose to model. Scale up or down as needed.

• Neurons communicate with each other at a junction called a synapse.
• Signaling between neurons requires the coordinated actions of vesicles, neurotransmitters, receptors, and second messengers.
• After relaying a signal, neurons return to homeostasis.
• Drugs disrupt synapses, affecting communication between neurons.

Plan 20 minutes for each scenario; add time for discussion.

Two 4–5 meter lengths of rope or masking tape, copies, string for job tags (optional)

Students take on the role of membrane proteins, moving pom-poms to simulate the action of so-dium and potassium ions during an action potential. This whole-classroom, kinesthetic, color-coded simulation helps students visualize how an action potential travels down a neuron.

Enact as a whole class, in a large open space

• An action potential is an electrical signal generated by the movement of ions across the membrane of a neuron.

45 minutes

About 600 green pom-poms and 300 blue pom-poms

1 large bag of small candies (optional)

4 lengths of masking tape or rope (optional)

This whole-class kinesthetic activity demonstrates how genes and the environment together influ¬ence a person’s risk for drug addiction. It works with groups of 12 or more students, and it can be adapted to be used with other diseases that are influenced by both genes and the environment.

Enact as a whole class

• Family history and genetics can help predict a person’s risk for developing drug addiction (or other diseases).
• A person’s behaviors can increase or decrease their risk for developing drug addiction.
• A person with a higher risk has a greater chance of having a disease, but they may not develop it.
• A person with a lower risk has a lower chance of having a disease, but they still may develop it.

15 minutes

Copies of Behavior Cards (one per student)

Optional guiding worksheets for the Mouse Party and PI: Pedigree Investigator interactive activities on Learn.Genetics are included below.

Have students work individually or in pairs to view the interactives and fill in the worksheets.

Mouse Party—50 minutes

PI: Pedigree Investigator—25 minutes