Ch 15: Therapeutic Agents for the Nervous System Flashcards
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
A physiological brain disorder that affects the ability to engage and quiet, passive activities or to focus one’s attention; attributable to an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain
Autonomic nervous system
A branch of the nervous system that carries out “automatic” bodily functions; it is composed of the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems
Blood brain barrier or BBB
A barrier that exists in the brain as a result of special permeability characteristics of the capillaries that supply brain cells; these capillaries prevent certain solutes or chemicals from being transferred from the blood to the brain
Bradykinesia
Slowed movement
Brainstem
A section of the brain consisting of the medulla oblongata, pons and midbrain, which connect the forebrain and cerebrum to the spinal cord.
Central nervous system or CNS
Consists of the brain and spinal cord; it acts to coordinate sensory and motor control of body functions
Cerebellum
A structure located posterior to the pons and medulla oblongata; it is responsible for posture, balance, involuntary muscle movement
Cerebrospinal fluid or CSF
Clear watery fluid that is continually produced in absorbed the flows in the ventricles of the brain and around the surface of the brain and spinal cord.
Epilepsy
A brain disorder marked by repeated seizures overtime
Extramural ideal symptoms or EPS
Often results from taking anti-psychotic medications and include parkinsonism, dystonia, and tremors
Hemorrhagic stroke
A stroke caused by the rupture of blood vessels in the brain
Homeostasis
The tendency of the body to maintain stability, such as with body temperature
Insomnia
Difficulty falling or staying asleep
Ischemic stroke
A stroke caused by blockage of a blood vessel in the brain
Multiple sclerosis or MS
An autoimmune disorder that affects the nerves in the CNS; it leads to impaired motor function
Myasthenia gravis
Neuromuscular disorder leading to weakness of the skeletal muscles
Neuron
The basic building block and cell of the nervous system
Parasympathetic nervous system or PSNS
A division of the autonomic nervous system that functions during restful situations
Parkinson’s disease or PD
A movement disorder with the classic symptoms of tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, and postural instability.
Peripheral nervous system or PNS
The division of the nervous system outside the brain and spinal cord
Polyneuropathy
I neurological disorder that occurs when many nerves throughout the body malfunction; it can be associated with painful neuropathy
Psychosis
A mental illness characterized by loss of contact with reality; it may be a true mental illness, maybe due to underlying medical condition (E. G., Dementia, drug withdrawal syndrom), or may be induced by substances such as medications, recreational drugs, or poisons.
Schizophrenia
A disorder characterized by inappropriate emotions and unrealistic thinking
Somatic nervous system
The motor neurons of the peripheral nervous system that controls voluntary actions of the skeletal muscles and provide sensory input (touch, hearing, sight).
Sympathetic nervous system or SNS
A division of the autonomic nervous system that functions during stressful situations; the “fight or flight” part of the autonomic nervous system
Turdive dyskinesia or TD
A type of dyskinesia (unwanted, involuntary rhythmic movements) attributed as potential side effects of taking dopamine antagonists such as phenothiazines or other medications example metoclopramide; the symptoms may continue even after discontinuation of the offending drug
Alzheimer’s disease
A progressive form of dementia that affects memory, thinking and behavior
