The document describes an activity called "Mouse Party" that teaches students about how drugs disrupt neurotransmitter signaling in the brain. In the activity, students analyze lab mice exposed to different drugs to see how each drug impacts the synapse. The document provides a table for students to fill out describing each drug, the neurotransmitters it involves, how it disrupts the synapse, and a summary illustration. The goal is for students to understand that drugs disrupt the natural action of neurotransmitters at the synapse in different ways and that this disruption of signaling contributes to the effects of addiction.

1. Print-and-Go™
Module http://gslc.genetics.utah.edu
The New Science of Addiction:
Genetics and the Brain
Mouse Party
Abstract
An optional worksheet to use in conjunction with the interactive
online activity of the same title located in The New Science
Learning Objectives
Drugs disrupt the natural action
of Addiction: Genetics and the Brain module on our website
of neurotransmitters at the
(url above). Students analyze lab mice to view the molecular
synapse.
mechanisms by which various drugs disrupt the synapse.
Each drug has a different way of
disrupting the synapse.
Logistics
Time Required
Class Time:
50 minutes
Prep Time:
10 minutes
Materials
Student handouts, computers with internet access
Prior Knowledge Needed
Synapse, neurotransmitters
Appropriate For:
Primary Intermediate Secondary College
Credits
Molly Malone, Genetic Science Learning Center
Pete Anderson, Genetic Science Learning Center (illustrations)
Funding
Funding for this module was provided by a Science Education Drug Abuse Partnership Award (SEDAPA) from the National
Institute on Drug Abuse, a component of the National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services.
© 2005 University of Utah This activity was downloaded from: http://gslc.genetics.utah.edu/teachers

2. Print-and-Go™
Module http://gslc.genetics.utah.edu
The New Science of Addiction:
Genetics and the Brain
Mouse Party
Log on to http://gslc.genetics.utah.edu/units/addiction and observe the Mouse Party. Fill in the table Answer Key
below, creating a sketch that summarizes the action of each drug in the “Summary Illustration” column.
Drug Neurotransmitter(s) Involved Action of Drug Summary Illustration
Inhibitory Neurotransmitters Binds to opiate receptors, shutting If you need more room, use the back of the page
down the release of inhibitory
Dopamine neurotransmitters. This causes
Heroin dopamine to flood the synapse.
Serotonin Taken up by serotonin transporters.
The transporters become
“confused” and transport serotonin
Ecstasy out of the cell into the synapse.
The serotonin becomes trapped in
the synapse, repeatedly binding to
receptors and exciting the cell.
Inhibitory Neurotransmitters Binds to cannabinoid receptors
and turns off the release of
Dopamine inhibitory neurotransmitters.
Marijuana Excess dopamine floods the
synapse.
© 2005 University of Utah This activity was downloaded from: http://gslc.genetics.utah.edu/teachers 1

3. Print-and-Go™
Module http://gslc.genetics.utah.edu
The New Science of Addiction:
Genetics and the Brain
Mouse Party
Answer Key
Dopamine Taken up by dopamine transporters
and pushes dopamine out of
vesicles. The transporters reverse
Methamphetamine action and pump dopamine into the
synapse where it becomes trapped
and repeatedly binds to receptors.
GABA Increases the inhibitory effects
of GABA. Binds to glutamate
Glutamate receptors, preventing glutamate
Alcohol from binding to and exciting the
cell.
Dopamine Blocks dopamine transporters.
Excess dopamine becomes
trapped in the synapse where it
Cocaine repeatedly binds to receptors and
overstimulates the cell.
Serotonin Mimics serotonin and binds to
serotonin receptors. Can be
inhibitory or excitatory.
L SD
© 2005 University of Utah This activity was downloaded from: http://gslc.genetics.utah.edu/teachers 2

4. Name
Date Print-and-Go™
http://gslc.genetics.utah.edu
Mouse Party Neural Data Matrix
Log on to http://gslc.genetics.utah.edu/units/addiction and observe the Mouse Party. Fill in the table
below, creating a sketch that summarizes the action of each drug in the “Summary Illustration” column.
Drug Neurotransmitter(s) Involved Action of Drug Summary Illustration
If you need more room, use the back of the page
Heroin
Ecstasy
Marijuana
© 2005 University of Utah Permission granted for classroom use. S-1

5. Name
Date Print-and-Go™
http://gslc.genetics.utah.edu
Methamphetamine
Alcohol
Cocaine
L SD
© 2005 University of Utah Permission granted for classroom use. S-2