Chapter 14: Basic Principles of Neuropharmacology

Question 1

Neuropharmacology

Answer 1

the study of drugs that alter processes controled by the nervous system

Question 2

what are the diverse processes that neuropharmacologic drugs can modify

Answer 2

• skeletal muscle contration
• cardiac output
• vascular tone
• respiration
• gastrointestinal function
• uterine motility
• glandular secretion
• ideation, mood, and perception of pain

Question 3

neuropharmacologic drugs sites of action

Answer 3

act by altering synaptic transmission

Question 4

axonal conduction

Answer 4

conducting action potential down the axon of the neuron
- not very selective

Question 5

drug group example for axonal conduction

Answer 5

anaesthetics

Question 6

synaptic transmission

Answer 6

information is carried across the gap between the neuron and postsynaptic cell
- highly selective

Question 7

receptors

Answer 7

• alter receptor activity by releasing transmitter molecules

Question 8

the effects of neuropharmacologic drugs depend on

Answer 8

altering receptor activity

Question 9

the impact of a drug on a neuronal regulated process is dependent on…

Answer 9

the ability of that drug to directly or indirectly influence receptor activity on target cells

Question 10

what are the 5 steps in synaptic transmission

Answer 10

• transmitter synthesis
• transmitter storage
• transmitter release
• receptor binding
• termination of transmission

Question 11

receptor activation

Answer 11

an effect on receptor function equivalent to that produced by the natural neurotransmitter at a particular synapse

Question 12

3 diffrent effects that drugs are known to have on transmitter synthesis

Answer 12

• increase transmitter synthesis
• decrease transmitter synthesis
• cause synthesis of molecules that are more effective than the natural transmitter itself

Question 13

effect on transmitter storage

Answer 13

• cause receptor activation to decrease

Question 14

effect on transmitter release

Answer 14

• either promote or inhibit transmitter release

Question 15

effect on receptor binding

Answer 15

• bind to receptors to cause activation
• bind to receptors to block activation
• enhance activation

Question 16

agonists (chapter5)

Answer 16

• directly activate receptor

Question 17

antagonists (chapter %)

Answer 17

• prevent receptor activation

Question 18

drugs that bind to receptor and cause activation examples

Answer 18

morephine, epinephrine, insulin

Question 19

drugs that bind to receptors and prevent activation examples

Answer 19

naloxone, antihistamines, propranolol

Question 20

example of drugs that bind to receptors and enhance the actions of the natural transmitter

Answer 20

benzodiazepines

Question 21

what are the 2 mechanisms in which drugs can interfere with the termination of a transmitter

Answer 21

• block reuptake
• inhibit transmitter degradation

Question 22

what is the most desirable quality a drug can have

Answer 22

selectivity

Question 23

selectivity

Answer 23

• most desirable trait
• ability to alter a disease process while leaving other physiologic processes largely unaffected

Question 24

neuropharmcologic drugs selectivity

Answer 24

most are highly selective