Chapter 14: Basic Principles of Neuropharmacology Flashcards
Neuropharmacology
the study of drugs that alter processes controled by the nervous system
what are the diverse processes that neuropharmacologic drugs can modify
- skeletal muscle contration
- cardiac output
- vascular tone
- respiration
- gastrointestinal function
- uterine motility
- glandular secretion
- ideation, mood, and perception of pain
neuropharmacologic drugs sites of action
act by altering synaptic transmission
axonal conduction
conducting action potential down the axon of the neuron
- not very selective
drug group example for axonal conduction
anaesthetics
synaptic transmission
information is carried across the gap between the neuron and postsynaptic cell
- highly selective
receptors
- alter receptor activity by releasing transmitter molecules
the effects of neuropharmacologic drugs depend on
altering receptor activity
the impact of a drug on a neuronal regulated process is dependent on…
the ability of that drug to directly or indirectly influence receptor activity on target cells
what are the 5 steps in synaptic transmission
- transmitter synthesis
- transmitter storage
- transmitter release
- receptor binding
- termination of transmission
receptor activation
an effect on receptor function equivalent to that produced by the natural neurotransmitter at a particular synapse
3 diffrent effects that drugs are known to have on transmitter synthesis
- increase transmitter synthesis
- decrease transmitter synthesis
- cause synthesis of molecules that are more effective than the natural transmitter itself
effect on transmitter storage
- cause receptor activation to decrease
effect on transmitter release
- either promote or inhibit transmitter release
effect on receptor binding
- bind to receptors to cause activation
- bind to receptors to block activation
- enhance activation
agonists (chapter5)
- directly activate receptor
antagonists (chapter %)
- prevent receptor activation
drugs that bind to receptor and cause activation examples
morephine, epinephrine, insulin
drugs that bind to receptors and prevent activation examples
naloxone, antihistamines, propranolol
example of drugs that bind to receptors and enhance the actions of the natural transmitter
benzodiazepines
what are the 2 mechanisms in which drugs can interfere with the termination of a transmitter
- block reuptake
- inhibit transmitter degradation
what is the most desirable quality a drug can have
selectivity
selectivity
- most desirable trait
- ability to alter a disease process while leaving other physiologic processes largely unaffected
neuropharmcologic drugs selectivity
most are highly selective
