Chapter 4 #2 Flashcards
Efficacy (intrinsic activity)
The extent to which a drug activates a response when it binds to a receptor
Binding affinity
The propensity of molecules of a drug (or other ligand) to bind to receptors
Dose-responsive curve (DRC)
A formal graph of a drugs effects (y axis) versus the dose given (x axis)
Bioavailable
Refers to a substance (drug) present in the body that is free to act on the target tissue, not being used or eliminated somewhere else.
Bio transformation
Process in which enzymes convert a drug into a metabolite that is itself active, possibly in ways different from the original substance
Duration of drug effect is dependent on what?
How the drug is metabolized and excreted from the body
The drugs route of administration affects what?
The amount of drug that gets to the brain and how fast it gets there
How does the blood brain barrier influence Neuro pharmacology?
Some drugs that could be used are too large to pass through it
Drug tolerance
With repeated drug exposure an individual becomes less responsive to a constant dose
Metabolic tolerance
Form of tolerance where the body becomes more efficient at clearing the drug
Functional tolerance
Tolerance arises when repeated exposure causes receptors to be up or down regulated.
Down regulate
Decrease in the number of available to which the drug can bind, usually in response to an agonist drug
Up regulate
Increase the number of receptors to which the drug can bind, usually in response to an antagonist drug
Cross tolerance
Tolerance for one drug causes generalization to other drugs of the same chemical class
Neuroleptics or antipsychotics
Class of antipsychotic drugs that alleviate symptoms of schizophrenia, typically blocks dopamine receptors
Atypical neuroleptic
Antipsychotic drug that has action other than or in addition to dopamine receptor antagonism
Antidepressants
Drug that relieves symptoms of depression
What are 3 main types of antidepressants?
Mono amine oxidase (MAO), tricyclics, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI)
Mono amine oxidase
An enzyme that breaks down mono amine transmitters, thereby inactivating them. Allows particles to accumulate in the synapse
Tricyclic antidepressants
Block the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
Block reuptake specifically at serotonergic synapses
Anxiolytics
Drugs used to combat anxiety
Depressants
Anything that reduces the excitability of neurons (alcohol or opium)
Barbiturate
Early anxiolytic drug and sleep aid with depressant activity.
Benzodiazepines
Class of anxiolytic drug that are agonists of GABA receptors in the central nervous system. (Valium)
Opium
An extract of the seedpod juice of the opium poppy. Drugs based on this are potent painkillers
Morphine
An opiate compound derived from the poppy flower.
Heroin
Diacetylmorphine. An artificially modified very potent form of morphine. Powerful euphoria
Opioid receptors
Receptor that responds to the endogenous opioids and/or exogenous opiates.
Periaqueductal gray
The neuronal body rich region of the midbrain surrounding the cerebral aqueduct that connects the third and fourth ventricles. Involved in pain reception.
Endogenous opioid
Class of opium like peptide transmitters that have been called the bodies own narcotics.
What are the three kinds of endogenous opioids?
Enkephalins, endorphins, dynorphins
What are the names of the three kinds of opioid receptors?
Delta, kappa, mu
What are the uses for opiate antagonist drugs?
Reversal of opioid effects to rescue from overdose and treating addiction
Tobacco
Highly addictive North American plant whose leaves are a source of nicotine
Nicotine
Acts as an agonist on a large class of Cholinergic receptors
Stimulant
Drug that enhances the excitability of neurons. Increases heart rate, blood pressure, digestive action, and alertness
Nicotonic ACh receptors
High concentration in the brain which is how nicotine impacts cognitive functions
Alcohol
A neuroactive compound (ethyl alcohol in drinks) that first stimulates then depresses neural activity
Fetal alcohol syndrome
Disorder including intellectual disability and characteristic facial abnormalities that affects children exposed to too much alcohol during fetal development
Marijuana
A preparation of the cannabis sativa plant usually smoked
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
Active ingredient in marijuana
Endocannabinoid
An endogenous ligand of cannabinoid receptors, thus an analog of marijuana produced inside the brain
Anandmine
An endoocannabinoid that produces most familiar symptoms of marijuana use: hunger, poor memory, reduced pain sensitivity.
How does caffeine function in the brain?
Blocks adenosine receptor terminals, allowing more transmitters to be released which increases brain activity
Cocaine
Drug of abuse, derived from the coca plant that acts by enhancing catecholamine neurotransmission
Amphetamine
A molecule that resembles the structure of the catecholamine transmitters and enhances their activity.
LSD or acid
Lysergic acid diethylamide, a potent hallucinogenic drug acting on seratonin receptors.
MDMA or ecstasy
3,4-methylendioxymethamphetamine. Drug of abuse associated with euphoria and colorful visual phenomena
Dissociative
A type of drug that produces a separation of consciousness and sensory inputs, dreamlike state.
What are two common dissociatives?
PCP and ketamine
Moral model
Addiction results from weakness of character and a lack of self control
Disease model
A person who abuses drugs requires medical treatment not punishment.
Physical dependence model
Argues that people continue to take drugs to avoid uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms
Dysphoria
Unpleasant feelings, the opposite of euphoria
Positive reward model
People get started with drug abuse, get addicted because the drug provides powerful reinforcement
What are two anatomical features in the brain associated with drug abuse?
The nucleus accumbens and the insula
