Applied Neuropharmacology Flashcards
Name examples of neurotransmitters
Acetylcholine Monoamines Amino acids Purines Neuropeptides NO
What are the physiological functions affected by dopamine?
Vomiting
Voluntary movement
Emotions
Where is dopamine distributed within the brain?
Brainstem
Basal ganglia
Limbic system and frontel cortex
How is dopamine linked to Parkinson’s disease?
Degeneration of dopamine cells in substantia nigra leading to dopamine deficiency in the basal ganglia
What is the synthesis line for dopamine?
Glycine, alanine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA), dopamine
What is the basic route of dopamine metabolic breakdown?
Dopamine, dihydroxyphenylacetic acid/3-methoxytryptamine, homovanillic acid
What are the 2 subgroups of dopaminergic drugs?
Dopamine precursor
Dopamine agonists
What is the main dopamine precursor drug?
Levodopa
What are the main dopamine agonist drugs?
Bromocriptine
Ropinirole
Pramipexole
Apomorphine
Name the main subgroups of enzyme inhibitors?
Peripheral AAAD inhibitors
MOAB inhibitors
COMT inhibitors
What are some examples of peripheral AAAD inhibitors?
Carbidopa
Benserazide
What is the function a peripheral AAAD inhibitor?
Reduces peripheral side effects of levodopa, allows greater proportion of dose to reach CNS
Name an example of an MOAB inhibitor?
Selegiline
Name an example of a COMT inhibitor?
Entacapone
What is the function of a COMT inhibitor?
Reduces metabolism of dopamine, increasing the effectiveness of levodopa
What is the particular disadvantage associated with enzyme inhibitors?
Can have no effect on synthetic dopamine agonists
What are the advantages of dopamine antagonists?
Improve nausea, vomiting and psychosis
What are the disadvantages of dopamine antagonists?
Worsen or cause Parkinson’s and rigidity and bradykinesia in the limbs
What is the clinical name given to the ‘vomiting centre’
Area postrema
Where is the area postrema located?
Medulla (functionally outside the brain blood barrier)
What are the advantages of domperidone?
Does not cross brain blood barrier
No antipsychotic properties
Relatively safe to use on Parkinson’s
What is domperidone?
Dopamine antagonist and anti emetic
What is dyskinesia?
Abnormal involuntary movements
What is the function of noradrenaline?
Reuptake blockers
What is one of the main neurological benefits of GABA?
Anti-epileptic
Anti-anxiety properties
What are some of the neurological uses of serotonin; 5-HT?
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are antidepressants
Triptans used for migraines
