National Certified Addiction Counselor, Level I (NCAC I) Practice Exam

Which part of the brain is primarily affected by cocaine use?

1. Hippocampus

2. Prefrontal cortex

3. Nucleus accumbens

4. Cerebellum

The correct answer is: Nucleus accumbens

The nucleus accumbens plays a crucial role in the brain's reward circuitry and is significantly affected by cocaine use. When cocaine is consumed, it increases the levels of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens, which is associated with feelings of pleasure and reinforcement. This heightened dopamine release contributes to the euphoric sensations typically experienced after cocaine use, and it also underlies the potential for addiction. The nucleus accumbens is a vital part of the brain's limbic system, which governs emotional responses and reinforces behaviors that are perceived as rewarding. As cocaine disrupts normal dopamine regulation, it reinforces drug-seeking behavior, making individuals more inclined to seek out the substance again. While the hippocampus is involved in memory formation, the prefrontal cortex is responsible for decision-making and impulse control, and the cerebellum plays a key role in coordination and balance, these regions are not primarily involved in the addictive properties specifically associated with cocaine. Instead, the nucleus accumbens is central to the reward and reinforcement mechanisms affected by cocaine use, highlighting its significance in addiction neuroscience.