Behavioural pharmacology

Question 1

What dives and influences behaviour?

Answer 1

Emotional motivations

Prior experiences

Question 2

What is a true abnormal behaviour?

Answer 2

Behaviour that is abnormal for that species or situation

Question 3

Which system is key in emotion and memory?

Answer 3

Limbic system

Question 4

Which part of the brain converts STMs into LTMs?

Answer 4

Hippocampus

Question 5

What is the role of the amygdala?

Answer 5

Involved in memory as well as fear and anger

Question 6

Which part of the brain integrates experiences with previous memories? What are the other roles of this part of the brain?

Answer 6

The frontal lobe

- planning, personality and decision making

Question 7

Which part of the brain (located in the dorsal pons) has an important role in vigilance and memories?

Answer 7

Locus coeruleus

Question 8

Before medication can be considered, what must be obtained?

Answer 8

An emotional diagnosis

Question 9

What steps are involved in behaviour management?

Answer 9

• Identify the cause of the issue
• Ensure physical health is good
• Aim to restore good emotional health

Question 10

When can medication for behaviour be useful?

Answer 10

When the emotional state and resulting distress of the animal inhibits their learning

Question 11

What do drugs NOT do for behaviour?

Answer 11

• Act as a short cut to a cure
• Treat behaviours
• Replace environmental changes

Question 12

Which neurotransmitter is involved in regulation of mood, appetite and arousal?

Answer 12

Serotonin

Question 13

What does dopamine play a major role in?

Answer 13

Reward and pleasure

Question 14

What are the 5 main groups of psychoactive drugs used to modify neurotransmitter levels

Answer 14

• Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)
• Specific serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
• Benzodiazepines
• Beta blockers

Question 15

Which drugs is the only licenced TCA for use in dogs with anxiety disorders?

Answer 15

Clomipramine

Question 16

How do TCAs act as psychoactive drugs?

Answer 16

Block serotonin and noradrenaline transporters, which inhibits their reuptake and increases their conc in the synapse

Question 17

Which drugs are used in anxiety disorders?

Answer 17

TCAs

Question 18

How do Specific serotonin reuptake inhibitors act as pschyoactive drugs?

Answer 18

Inhibit the reuptake of serotonin so there are increased levels of serotonin in the synapse for longer periods of time

Question 19

What is the main drugs used as an SSRI?

Answer 19

Fluoxetine

Question 20

What are the two types of monoamine oxidase inhibitors?

Answer 20

MAO-A

MAO-B

Question 21

What is the function of monoamine oxidase inhibitors?

Answer 21

Inhibit the breakdown of serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine which increases the longevity of these neurotransmitters in the CNS

Question 22

Give the name of the licenced MAO-B drugs used for emotional disorders in dogs

Answer 22

Selegiline

Question 23

Benzodiazepines facilitate the action of which neurotransmitter?

Answer 23

GABA

Question 24

Which psychoactive drug can cause amnesia?

Answer 24

Benzodiazepines

Question 25

What are the possible negative consequences of using benzodiazepines?

Answer 25

Physical addiction and long term tolerance requiring increased doses

Question 26

What is the role of beta blockers as a behavioural drug?

Answer 26

Used in anxiety scenarios to reduce physiological signs of panic and stress

Question 27

Which drugs is the most commonly used beta blocker?

Answer 27

Propanolol

Question 28

Which drugs are used when an animal shows negative emotional reactions to noise

Answer 28

Anti-epileptic drug - imepitoin

Question 29

What is the role of pheromones in animal behaviour?

Answer 29

Stimulate the limbic system to alter the emotional state of the animal

Question 30

Give some examples of pheromones given to animals

Answer 30

Adaptil
Feliway classic
Feliway friends
Feliscratch