Behavioural pharmacology Flashcards
What drives behaviour? How is it influenced and modified?
Emotional motivations
Influenced by prior experiences
Modified by cortical processing
What is true abnormal behaviour?
Behaviour that is abnormal for that animal in that situation
Not justified emotion or behavioural response, not i normal limits/intensity
How do behaviours relate to physical health?
Ill health causes abnormal behaviour and vice versa
What should be obtained before medication?
Diagnosis - behaviour specialist or animal behaviour training council
What is the locus coeruleus? What is it involved with?
Nucleus in pons
Involved with physiological response to stress and panic
What is serotonin important in regulating?
Mood
Appetite
Arousal
(Possibly fear and aggression)
What is dopamine involved with?
Reward and pleasure
Memory
Regulation of emotion
How does noradrenaline play a key part in learning?
Facilitates other neurotransmitters
What are the 5 categories of psychoactive drugs?
SSRIs Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) Benzodiazepines Beta blockers
What are tricyclic antidepressants mainly used for? Give an example
Anxiety disorders
Clomipramine
When is clomipramine licensed? Where is it metabolised and excreted?
Seperation anxiety
Metabolised in liver
Excreted in bile
How do SSRIs and TCAs work?
inhibit serotonin uptake
Are SSRIs licensed in dogs? Give an example. Where is this metabolised and excreted?
No
Fluoxetine
Metabolised - liver
Excreted - urine
How do monoamine oxidase inhibitors work? Give an example
Inhibit monoamine oxidase - increases neurotransmitter half life
Selegine
Give an example of an MAOI. When are they used?
Selegine
Canine cognitive dysfunction
Are benzodiazepines licensed? Give an example of one
No
Alprazolam (xanax tradename)
How do benzodiazepines work? What effects do they have?
Enhance GABA
Anxiolytic, sedative, amnesic
Why are benzodiazepines avoided in cats?
Cause fatal hepatic necrosis
Beta blockers are used as negative chronotropes. What behavioural changes does it cause?
Reduces physiological signs of pain and stress
Inhibits memory consolidation
When are beta blockers used as anxiolytics? Give an example
Short term anxiety
Propanolol
How can anti-epileptic drugs be used for behaviour?
Topiramate - useful for compulsive behaviours
Impeitoin - partial agonist of GABA receptors
Alpha 2 agonists can be used for management of mild fears at low doses. Where do they work?
Locus coeruleus
What is serotonin syndrome?
Serotonin toxicity = cognitive defects, autonomic effects, somatic effects
What causes serotonin syndrome?
Using multiple psychoactive drugs together (most cause increased serotonin)
Using psychoactive drugs with herbal remedies (St John’s wart) or serotonin precursors (dairy products)
Pheromones are effective and safe if used with lifestyle changes. How do they work?
Stimulate limbic system to alter emotional state
