Autonomic Nervous System Drugs: Primer

Question 1

What neurotransmitter does the PRE-ganglionic neuron for both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system release?

Answer 1

Acetylcholine (Ach)

Question 2

What neurotransmitter does the Post ganglionic neuron of the Parasympathetic NS release? The Sympathetic NS?

Answer 2

1. Para- Ach
2. Sympathetic- Norepinephrine (with exceptions)

Question 3

Is Acetylcholine excitatory or inhibitory?

Answer 3

Inhibitory neurotransmittter

Question 4

What releases acetylcholine, and what terminates it?

Answer 4

Released by cholinergic receptors, terminated by acetylcholinesterase

Question 5

Is norepinephrine inhibitory or excitatory?

Answer 5

Excitatory

Question 6

What releases norepinephrine?

Answer 6

Adrenergic neurons

Question 7

What are the 2nsubtypes of cholinergic receptors?

Answer 7

1. Nicotinic
2. Muscarinic

Question 8

What are the 3 subtypes of adrenergic receptors?

Answer 8

1. Alpha
2. Beta
3. Dopamine

Question 9

How many subtypes will predominate a particular gland or organ?

Answer 9

One receptor subtype

Question 10

Describe the 3 characteristics of the Parasympathetic nervous system.

Answer 10

1. “Rest and Digest”
2. 12 cranial nerves
3. Cranial nerve X (vagus nerve) is most important

Question 11

Describe the three characteristics of the Sympathetic nervous system.

Answer 11

1. “Fight or Flight” response
2. Originates in the thoracic and lumbar portions of spinal cord
3. NE acts on adrenergic receptors (Alpha, Beta, or Dopamine)

Question 12

Describe 3 characteristics of receptor selectivity

Answer 12

1. Drug binds to one type of receptor
2. Dose-dependent
3. Effects are related to specificity of a drug to receptor type and to the expression of those receptor types in specific tissues

Question 13

What 5 things influence the magnitude of receptor response?

Answer 13

1. Number of functional receptors
2. Disease states
3. Hormones
4. Drugs
5. Age

Question 14

What do muscarinic receptors respond to?

Answer 14

Muscarine and Ach

Question 15

Where are M1, M2, and M3 located respectively?

Answer 15

M1- Nerves
M2- Heart, Nerves, Smooth Muscle
M3- Smooth muscle, Glands, Epithelium, Pancreas

Question 16

What do nicotinic receptors respond to?

Answer 16

Nicotine and Ach

Question 17

Where are Nicotinic receptors located?

Answer 17

ANS ganglia & Neuromuscular junction

Question 18

What are adrenergic/adrenoreceptors stimulated by?

Answer 18

NE and epinephrine