Applied Neuro-Pharmacology

Question 1

ionotropic vs metabotropic receptors

Answer 1

ionotropic = ligand-gated ion channels (usually)
metabotropic = have g protein coupled receptors

Question 2

Talk through the process of synaptic transmission?

Answer 2

-Vesicles with the receptor in them
- Action potential (Na+) opens Calcium channels causin Calcium dependant exocutosis of transmitter in vesicles
-transmittor binds to receptor on other cell
-transmitter takken back up]

More in depth:
-Synthesis and packaging of neurotransmitter (usually) in presynaptic terminals
-Na+ action potential reaches terminal
-Activates voltage gated Ca2+ channels
-Triggers Ca2+-dependent exocytosis of pre-packaged vesicles of transmitter
-Transmitter diffuses across cleft and binds to ionotropic and/or metabotropic receptors to evoke postsynaptic response
-Presynaptic autoreceptors inhibit further transmitter release
-Transmitter is (usually) inactivated by uptake into glia or neurons
-Transmitter is metabolised within cells

Question 3

competeative vs non competative antagonists

Answer 3

Competitive dont work or don’t work as well as the drug but will sit in the actuve site bocking the neurotransmittor

Non competitive antagonists will bind somewhere else causing conformational change and so the neurotransmittor can’t bind

Question 4

How can we reduce synaptic transmission (8)

Answer 4

Stop the Na+ gated action potential from opening (like in anaesthetics)
Stop the Ca channels from opening (so exocytosis can’t happen ) - black widow venom
Block the vesicles exocytosis machinery (botox)
Activate presynaptic inhibitory receptors
Block post synaptic receptors (antagonists)
Increase transmittor breakdown
Increase uptake of machinary

Question 5

How to potentiate synaptic transmission

Answer 5

-make the transmittor have more of a n effect on the receptor
–block breakdown/reuptake of neurotransmittor
Activate with an agonist
-Increase synthesis and packaging of neurotransmittor

Question 6

glutamate inhibitory or excititory ]GAMA

Answer 6

GABA is inhibitory
Glutamate is excititory

Question 7

What is special about NO?

Answer 7

It just diffuses out (isn’t exocytosed)

Question 8

3 key monoamines

Answer 8

Noradrenaline
Dopamine
Serotonin (5-HT)

Question 9

Where is Acetylcholine released?

Answer 9

Neuromuscular junction and by the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems

Question 10

What does the mesolimbic pathway do? Mesocortical? Nigrostriatal? Tubero-infundibular?

Answer 10

Nigrostriatal - control of voluntary movement
Mesolimbic - reward, addiction, hallucinations
Mesocortical - preforontal cortex - motivation, emotion and excuectative functions
Tubero-infundibular pathway - pituitary - prolactin - also has a role in vommitting

Question 11

Are there many different types fof dopamine receptors

Answer 11

yes, some are agonists, some are antagonists