Behaviour - psycopharmacology Flashcards
What will medications do for behaviour?
Reduce arousal
Increase ability to learn
Enable better sleep and rest
Will not alter relationship with/fear of stimuli - need to use behaviour modification for this
What are the treatment goals with psychopharmacology?
Remission
Measurable changes - eg. recovery time changes
What is brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)?
An important protein that is involved in the development of neurones
Especially in hippocampus for developing memories - BDNF deficiencies can cause memory loss
What can reduce BDNF levels in puppies/dogs?
Stressed bitch during pregnancy
Early development stress
High cortisol levels
What can you use to elevate BDNF levels in dogs?
Increase serotonin and noradrenalin - reduce cortisol levels (takes 6-8 months)
What does insufficient serotonin cause in dogs?
Anxiety
Irritability, impulsivity
What does insufficient dopamine cause in dogs?
Depression
Anxiety
Apathy
Avoidance
Inactivity
What does too much dopamine cause in dogs?
Agitation
Hallucination/schizophrenia
What does insufficient noradrenaline cause in dogs?
Tired/lethargic
Inactive
Withdrawn
What does insufficient GABA cause?
Anxiety
Fear
What are some serotonergic drugs (increase serotonin) to reduce anxiety?
SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor):
- Fluoxetine (main drug in dogs)
TCA (tricyclic antidepressants):
- Clomipramine (main drug in cats)
SARI (serotonin antagonist reuptake inhibitor)
- Trazodone
What are the side effects of serotonergic drugs?
Take 4 weeks to effect - initial down-regulation
Serotonin syndrome - overdose, agitation, aggression
What is the main antianxiety drug in dogs?
Fluoxetine - SSRI
What are the main noradrenergic drugs used for anxiety, fear?
Alpha 2 agonists
- Dexmedetomidine
Beta blockers
- Propanolol
What is dexmedetomidine used for in behaviour? How is it used?
Short term problems - noise phobia, car rides, vet visits
Oro-mucosal gel
What is propanolol used for in behaviour?
To reduce physical signs associated with noradrenaline - mydriasis, panting, trembling, hypertension
What are the side effects of noradrenergic drugs?
Hypotension, bradycardia, sedation
How is mirtazapine used in behaviour?
Central alpha 2 antagonist - block noradrenaline to increase serotonin
Appetite stimulant - for anorexia, adjunct to SSRI/TCA
What are the main dopaminergic drugs?
Monoamine oxidase inhibitor
- Selegiline
Dopamine receptor agonist
- Cabergoline
Dopamine reuptake inhibitors
- Adrafinil/modafinil
What is selegiline used for?
Cognitive dysfunction syndrome
Licensed for use in emotional disorders
What is cabergoline used for?
Pseudopregnancy and oestrus
Improves learning
Enhances memory
What are adrafinil/modafinil used for?
Used for narcolepsy
Improve memory
When are GABAergic drugs used?
Immediate effect
Fear
Anxiety
How does GABAergic drugs work?
Mimic GABA in the limbic system
What are some GABAergic drugs?
Benzodiazepines
Imepitoin (anticonvulsant)
Gabapentin
What is ACP used for?
Sedation, premed alone
NOT anxiolytic - animal still aware but cant react
