Ch 9-11

Question 1

CNS drugs work by one or more of the following mechanisms

Answer 1

• Direct binding to the neurotransmitter receptor in the postsynaptic neuron
• Inhibition of neurotransmitter metabolism within the presynaptic neuron
• Blockage of neurotransmitter reuptake back into neurotransmitter storage vesicles in the presynaptic neuron
• Stimulation of release of neurotransmitter from storage vesicles in the presynaptic neuron
• Decoupling of second messenger systems in the postsynaptic neuron

Question 2

What can a single dose of either cocaine or methamphetamine do?

Answer 2

permanently reduces the number of dopaminergic neurons in the brain!

Question 3

Parkinson’s desease

Answer 3

Chronic movement disorder, caused by an imbalance between dopamine and acetylcholine (ACh).

Question 4

In Parkinson’s, Eventually, when degeneration of more than 80% of the dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra occurs, the following symptoms appear:

Answer 4

• Trembling (hands, arms, legs, jaw, face)
• Rigidity (limbs and trunk; jerky, cogwheel-type movement)
• Bradykinesia (slowness in initiating movement, fenestrating gait)
• Masklike facies (individual cannot show facial expression and has difficulty blinking, speaking, and swallowing)
• Impaired balance (postural instability, difficult walking with balance)
• Dementia (Alzheimer’s disease will develop in 33%)

Question 5

Parkinson’s initial symptoms, that can be confused for aging

Answer 5

.•Feeling "shaky" on one side
•Head bobbing
•Difficulty getting out of a chair
•Soft, slow, monotone voice
•Small handwriting (micrographia)
•Depression and irritability
•Losing one's train of thought