6.1 Flashcards
ADHD
Developmental disorder characterized by core behavioral symptoms
including impulsivity, hyperactivity, and/or inattention.
Psychopharmacology
the study of how drugs affect the nervous
system and behavior
Psychoactive drugs
substances that alter
mood, thought, or behavior; are used to manage neuropsychological
illness; and may be taken recreationally
Route of administration
the way a drug passes through the body to reach its target;
Oral, inhaled, rectally, through skin/ mucous membranes, injected, directly on brain
Oral route
Weak acids absorb through stomach, weak bases absorb through intestines, drug must be water soluble (hydrophilic)
Blood-brain barrier
tight junctions between the cells of blood vessels found in
the brain, blocks passage of most water-soluble substances;
protects the brain’s ionic balance and denies many
neurochemicals passage into the brain; assisted by astrocytes; absent surrounding pituitary, area postrema, and pineal gland
Catabolism
the process in which the body breaks down drugs in the system; occurs in many places including kidneys, liver, and intestines
Agonists
Drugs that increase neurotransmission
Antagonists
Drugs that decrease neurotransmission
Black widow spider venom
ACh agonist, promotes excess release of acetylcholine
Botulinum toxin
ACh antagonist, blocks release of acetylcholine
Nicotine
ACh agonist, binds to acetylcholine receptors and activates them
Curare
ACh antagonist; binds to acetylcholine receptors and doesn’t allow ion channels to open, block binding of ACh
Physostigmine and organophospates
ACh agonist, inhibits enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine (AChE) increasing amount available at synapse
Tolerance
A decreased response to a drug with repeated exposure.
Metabolic tolerance
the number of enzymes needed to break
down alcohol in the liver, blood, and brain increases. e.g
any alcohol consumed is metabolized more quickly, so blood
alcohol levels fall.
Cellular tolerance
Brain cell activities adjust to minimize the
effects of alcohol in the blood. Why the behavioral signs of intoxication may be so low despite a relatively high blood alcohol level.
Learned tolerance
Explains a drop in outward signs of intoxication. As people learn to cope with the demands of living under the
influence, they may no longer appear intoxicated.
Sensitization
Increased responsiveness to successive equal doses of a drug. More likely to develop with intermittent use and in novel environments
