Behavior Modifying Drugs

Question 1

what drug classes are used for behavior modification?

Answer 1

antipsychotics
anxiolytics
nonbenzodiazepine hypnotics
antidepressants

Question 2

what is an antipsychotic used for behavior modification?

Answer 2

acepromazine

Question 3

how does acepromazine modify behavior?

Answer 3

noise phobia
reduces attendance to environmental stimuli
sedation

Question 4

how does acepromazine produce sedation?

Answer 4

inhibits postsynaptic central dopaminergic receptors (D2)

Question 5

what does acepromazine do peripherally?

Answer 5

blocks binding of norepinephrine to alpha1 adrenergic receptors: peripheral vasodilation

Question 6

what receptor does acepromazine impact? antagonist or agonist?

Answer 6

D2 antagonist

Question 7

what are the adverse effects of antipsychotics?

Answer 7

catalepsy: immobility, increased muscle tone, abnormal postures
motor side effects
penile prolapse in horses

Question 8

what class of drugs are anxiolytics?

Answer 8

benzodiazepines: anxiety, sedation

Question 9

how do benzodiazepines work?

Answer 9

increase the frequency of the chloride ion channel

Question 10

what receptor do benzodiazepines interact with?

Answer 10

GABAa

Question 11

where are GABAa receptors found?

Answer 11

mostly in cerebral cortex, very few outside of the CNS

Question 12

what class do benzodiazepines have a synergistic effect with?

Answer 12

barbituates

Question 13

what are the adverse effects of anxiolytics?

Answer 13

sedation
ataxia
muscle relaxation
increased appetite
paradoxical excitation
memory deficits
disinhibition (aggression?)
tolerance
human abuse liability

Question 14

what are the nonbenzodiazepine hypnotics?

Answer 14

zaleplon (sonata)
eszopiclone (lunesta)
zolpidem (ambien)

Question 15

what class of drugs is rapid onset, short duration of action, and rapid recovery?

Answer 15

nonbenzodiazepine hypnotics

Question 16

what do nonbenzodiazepine hypnotics do?

Answer 16

potentiates action of GABA, only at specific GABAa receptors

Question 17

do nonbenzodiazepine hypnotics have muscle relaxation or anticonvulsant effects?

Answer 17

no

Question 18

what are the adverse effects of nonbenzodiazepine hypnotics?

Answer 18

very little known
maybe vocalization, restlessness, anxiety, dysphoria, rage reaction, excitement, muscle spasticity, hyperreflexia

Question 19

what drug groups belong under the antidepressant category?

Answer 19

tricyclic antidepressants
SSRIs
MAOIs

Question 20

what do antidepressants do?

Answer 20

antianxiety
increase levels of neurotransmitters: 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) and norepinephrine

Question 21

what are antidepressants used to treat?

Answer 21

anxiety
repetitive behaviors
separation anxiety
self-trauma
aggression
compulsive behaviors
dominance-type or impulsive aggression
cats: spraying, aggression, compulsive behavior

Question 22

what are the adverse effects of antidepressants?

Answer 22

mild sedation
gastrointestinal side affects
antihistamine effects
anticholinergic effects
decrease seizure threshold
anorexia

Question 23

why are antidepressants contraindicated in glaucoma or keratoconjunctivitis sicca?

Answer 23

anticholinergic effects: dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention