Behavioural pharmacology Flashcards
What dives and influences behaviour?
Emotional motivations
Prior experiences
What is a true abnormal behaviour?
Behaviour that is abnormal for that species or situation
Which system is key in emotion and memory?
Limbic system
Which part of the brain converts STMs into LTMs?
Hippocampus
What is the role of the amygdala?
Involved in memory as well as fear and anger
Which part of the brain integrates experiences with previous memories? What are the other roles of this part of the brain?
The frontal lobe
- planning, personality and decision making
Which part of the brain (located in the dorsal pons) has an important role in vigilance and memories?
Locus coeruleus
Before medication can be considered, what must be obtained?
An emotional diagnosis
What steps are involved in behaviour management?
- Identify the cause of the issue
- Ensure physical health is good
- Aim to restore good emotional health
When can medication for behaviour be useful?
When the emotional state and resulting distress of the animal inhibits their learning
What do drugs NOT do for behaviour?
- Act as a short cut to a cure
- Treat behaviours
- Replace environmental changes
Which neurotransmitter is involved in regulation of mood, appetite and arousal?
Serotonin
What does dopamine play a major role in?
Reward and pleasure
What are the 5 main groups of psychoactive drugs used to modify neurotransmitter levels
- Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)
- Specific serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
- Benzodiazepines
- Beta blockers
Which drugs is the only licenced TCA for use in dogs with anxiety disorders?
Clomipramine
How do TCAs act as psychoactive drugs?
Block serotonin and noradrenaline transporters, which inhibits their reuptake and increases their conc in the synapse
Which drugs are used in anxiety disorders?
TCAs
How do Specific serotonin reuptake inhibitors act as pschyoactive drugs?
Inhibit the reuptake of serotonin so there are increased levels of serotonin in the synapse for longer periods of time
What is the main drugs used as an SSRI?
Fluoxetine
What are the two types of monoamine oxidase inhibitors?
MAO-A
MAO-B
What is the function of monoamine oxidase inhibitors?
Inhibit the breakdown of serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine which increases the longevity of these neurotransmitters in the CNS
Give the name of the licenced MAO-B drugs used for emotional disorders in dogs
Selegiline
Benzodiazepines facilitate the action of which neurotransmitter?
GABA
Which psychoactive drug can cause amnesia?
Benzodiazepines
What are the possible negative consequences of using benzodiazepines?
Physical addiction and long term tolerance requiring increased doses
What is the role of beta blockers as a behavioural drug?
Used in anxiety scenarios to reduce physiological signs of panic and stress
Which drugs is the most commonly used beta blocker?
Propanolol
Which drugs are used when an animal shows negative emotional reactions to noise
Anti-epileptic drug - imepitoin
What is the role of pheromones in animal behaviour?
Stimulate the limbic system to alter the emotional state of the animal
Give some examples of pheromones given to animals
Adaptil
Feliway classic
Feliway friends
Feliscratch
