Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Undeleted > Chapter 4 > Flashcards

Chapter 4 Flashcards

Psychopharmacology: Life cycle of a Neurotransmitter Types of Neurotransmitters Drug effects Drug actions at the synapse Effects of psychoactive drugs

1
Q

Life Cycle of a Neurotransmitter

A

Synthesis from precursor chemicals

Storage into synaptic vesicles

Release (Exocytosis) from presynaptic terminal
–Triggered by action potentials and the opening of voltage gated Ca2+ channels
–Modulated by presynaptic facilitation and inhibition

Receptor binding
–Ionotropic or metabotropic

Deactivation
–Diffusion, reuptake or enzymatic degradation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Categories of Chemical Messengers

A

Neurotransmitters: communicate locally across the synapse

Neuromodulators: communicate with target cells more distant than the synapse by diffusing away from the point of release

Neurohormones: communicate with target cells at great distance, often by traveling through circulation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Neuromodulators

A

Include serotonin, Dopamine and acetylcholine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

The Endocrine System

A

Hormones are secreted into bloodstream by the endocrine glands

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Gonads

A

Secrete sex steroid hormones
—estrogen and progesterone in females and androgens in males

Puberty: secondary sexual characteristics

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Neurotransmitter Defined

A
  • Must be synthesized within neuron
  • Released in response to AP and has measurable effect on postsynaptic cell
  • Can duplicate action experimentally
  • Mechanism must exist for termination of effect
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Acetylcholine (Ionotropic and Metabotropic)

A
  • Nicotinic receptor: Ionotropic
  • Gates Na+, excitatory
  • Found at the neuromuscular junction, autonomic nervous system

•Muscarinic receptor: Metabotropic
•Found predominantly in the brain
•Can be excitatory or inhibitory
(Amanita muscaria is a type of mushroom)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Cholinergic system (Acetylcholine)

A

Functions: Attention, Learning and memory
Deterioration implicated in Alzheimer’s disease

Basal Forebrain, Pons, and Midbrain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Catecholamine

A

Catecholamines are Monoamnines.

Dopamine, Norepinephrine and Epinephrine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Catecholamine Synthesis

A

Tyrosine> l-dopa> Dopamine> Norepinephrine> Epinephrine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Dopamine

A

Receptors:
−Metabotropic
−Can be excitatory or inhibitory

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Dopaminergic system (Dopamine)

A 
Substantia Nigra
Ventral Tegmental Area
Basal Ganglia
Frontal Lobe
Limbic system:
Nucleus Accumbens, Amygdala, Hippocampus
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Systems of Dopaminergic Neurons

A

Mesolimbic system: projections from ventral tegmental area (VTA) to nucleus accumbens, hippocampus, and amygdala
•Function: reward
•Implicated in Addiction

Mesocortical system: projections from VTA to prefrontal cortex
•Functions: planning, problem solving
•Implicated in Schizophrenia

Nigrostriatal System: projections from substantia nigra to basal ganglia
•Function: control of movement
•Implicated in Parkinson’s disease

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Serotonin (5-HT)

A

Synthesis: Tryptophan

Receptors:
−Metabotropic
−Can be excitatory or inhibitory

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Serotonergic system (Serotonin)

A
  • Functions: Sleep, arousal, appetite, mood
  • Implicated in anxiety and depression

Raphe Nuclei

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Glutamate

A

Principle excitation transmitter in the CNS

Ionotropic or Metabotropic postsynaptic receptors

Two principle ionotropic receptors:
•AMPA
•NMDA

AMPA receptor gates Na+, excitatory

NMDA receptor is unique among receptors, requiring both ligand (NT) binding and membrane depolarization

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Principle excitatory transmitter in the CNS

A

Glutamate

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

This receptor is unique among receptors, requiring both ligand (NT) binding and membrane depolarization

A

NMDA receptor
The N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor, a glutamate receptor, is the predominant molecular device for controlling synaptic plasticity and memory function. The NMDAR is a specific type of ionotropic glutamate receptor.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Principle inhibitory NT in the CNS

A

GABA

20
Q

GABA

A

Principle inhibitory NT in the CNS

•GABAA (Ionotropic)
–Gates Cl-, inhibitory (influx)
–Multiple binding sites

•GABAB (Metabotropic)
–Gates K+, inhibitory (efflux)

21
Q

Pituitary peptides

A

–Oxytocin: maternal care; bonding

22
Q

Opioid peptides

A

–β-endorphin: reduces pain, produces

feelings of well being (e.g., runner’s high)

23
Q

Gaseous Neurotransmitters

A

(Rare)

•Nitric Oxide
–Diffuses through membrane independent of vesicle
–Retrograde transmitter influencing presynaptic neuron’s release

24
Q

Drug

A

any substance that alters function of the synapse, in the body (PNS) or brain (CNS)

–Agonist: mimics or enhances the effect of a neurotransmitter

–Antagonist: blocks or decreases the effect of a neurotransmitter

25
Q

Drug Routes of Adminstration

A

From fastest to slowest:

  • Injection
  • Inhalation
  • Oral
  • Topical
26
Q

Individual Differences in Drug Effects

A
  • Gender
  • Body Weight
  • Genetics
  • Experience
27
Q

Agonist

A

mimics or enhances the effect of a neurotransmitter.

−Increase synthesis
−Promote release
−Block reuptake or degradation
−Block presynaptic autoreceptors
−Activate postsynaptic receptor
28
Q

Antagonist

A

blocks or decreases the effect of a neurotransmitter.

−Reduce synthesis
−Prevent storage
−Block release
−Activate presynaptic autoreceptors
−Block postsynaptic receptor
29
Q

Sites of Drug Action

A
  1. Synthesis
  2. Storage
  3. Release
  4. Receptor Interaction
  5. Inactivation
  6. Reuptake
  7. Degradation
30
Q

Psychoactive Drug

A

Any drug with psychological effect - passes through blood brain barrier to directly affect brain

–Drugs of abuse
–Therapeutic drugs

31
Q

Classes of Psychoactive Drugs

A

Opiates
–Morphine, Heroin, Codeine, Endorphins

Depressants
–Alcohol, barbiturates, Quaaludes, Valium

Stimulants
–Tobacco, caffeine, cocaine, methamphetamine

Psychedelics
–LSD, PCP, Psilocybin, Ecstasy

Marijuana

32
Q

Depressants

A

Drugs that reduce CNS activity
–Sedative (calming) effects
–Anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) effects
–Hypnotic (sleep-inducing) effects

33
Q

Blood Alcohol Content (BAC)

A 
Factors influencing BAC:
–Number/type of drinks
–Weight
–Gender
–Genetic Background
34
Q

Neurochemical Effects of Alcohol

A

GABAA receptor agonist:
−Antianxiety / sedative effects
−Motor impairment

NMDA receptor antagonist:
–Memory problems

Dopamine receptor agonist:
–Euphoric qualities

35
Q

Stimulants

A 
Drugs that increase CNS activity
–Increase Heart Rate
–Increase Respiration
–Increase Blood Pressure
–Increase arousal
–Increase alertness
–Elevate mood
36
Q

Cocaine

A 
Extracted from coca plant, can be snorted, inhaled, or injected to produce:
–Euphoria
–Decreased appetite
–Increased alertness
–Relieved fatigue
37
Q

Methamphetamine

A

Synthetic drug, can be snorted, inhaled, or injected to produce effects similar to cocaine

38
Q

Cocaine/Meth Binding Sites

A

Mesolimbic system

Reward Pathway:
–Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA) releases dopamine onto the Nucleus accumbens

39
Q

Neurochemical effects of Cocaine

A

Blocks dopamine reuptake into VTA presynaptic neurons

More dopamine is available at the NA postsynaptic receptors

40
Q

Neurochemical effects of Methamphetamine

A

Stimulates dopamine release from VTA
Blocks dopamine reuptake
More dopamine is available at the NA postsynaptic receptors

41
Q

Psychedelic Drugs

A 
Cause perceptual & cognitive distortions
Serotonin receptor agonists:
–Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)
–PCP (Angel’s dust)
–Psilocybin (Mushrooms)
–MDMA (Ecstasy)
42
Q

Neurochemical effects of Ecstasy

A

Increases serotonin release and blocks reuptake

More serotonin is available to bind postsynaptic receptors

Less serotonin is available for release and autoreceptor activation decreases synthesis and release even further

Serotonin levels decrease after use

43
Q

Mesolimbic system

A

projections from ventral tegmental area (VTA) to nucleus accumbens, hippocampus, and amygdala
•Function: reward
•Implicated in Addiction

44
Q

Mesocortical system

A

projections from VTA to prefrontal cortex
•Functions: planning, problem solving
•Implicated in Schizophrenia

45
Q

Nigrostriatal System

A

projections from substantia nigra to basal ganglia
•Function: control of movement
•Implicated in Parkinson’s disease

Undeleted (12 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions