Die Wirkung von Drogen erklärt mit interaktiver Flash-Animation: Mouse Party

Die Universität Utah hat schon seit einigen Jahren diese durchaus gelungene, interaktive Flash-Ani im Netz, die die Wirkung von Drogen im Hirn erklärt. Als ich damals meine Biologie Prüfung machen musste, hatte ich glücklicherweise genau dieses Thema abbekommen – an jedem anderen wäre ich grandios gescheitert, aber das nur am Rande.

The simplified mechanisms of drug action presented here are just a small part of the story. When drugs enter the body they elicit very complex effects in many different regions of the brain. Often they interact with many different types of neurotransmitters and may bind with a variety of receptor types in a variety of different locations. For example, THC in marijuana can bind with cannabinoid receptors located on the presynaptic and/or postsynaptic cell in a synapse.

Where applicable, this presentation primarily depicts how drugs interact with dopamine neurotransmitters because this website focuses on the brain’s reward pathway. Mouse Party is designed to provide a small glimpse into the chemical interactions at the synaptic level that cause the drug user to feel ‘high’.

(via @zeitrafferin)