Chapters 5-12 Key Terms and Definitions

Question 1

Blood-Brain Barrier

Answer 1

The specialized anatomic arrangement of cerebral capillary walls that serves to restrict the passage of some drugs into the brain

Question 2

Arrhythmia

Answer 2

A significant deviation from normal cardiac rhythm that results in a heart rate that is slower or faster than normal, or irregular (SYN: dysrhythmia)

Question 3

Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF)

Answer 3

A protein produced in the brain that helps sustain neuronal activity and growth; BDNF may be important in mediating the effects of antidepressants and other CNS drugs

Question 4

Akathisia

Answer 4

A feeling of extreme motor restlessness and an inability to sit still; may occur because of antipsychotic drug therapy

Question 5

Dyskinesia

Answer 5

An involntary movement ranging from minor tremors and tics to severe uncoordinated movements of the trunk and extremities. Dyskinesias are associated with certain movement disorders and can also be a side effect of specific medications, such as antiparkinson drugs and antipsychotic medications

Question 6

Epigenetic Factors

Answer 6

Process that affect gene activity by chemically modifying genetic material rather than changing the actual DNA sequence. Typical epigenetic modifications include adding or removing methyl or acetyl groups to DNA, RNA, or the proteins (histones) that surround and package the DNA molecule. Certain anticancer drugs may inhibit mitosis by affecting epigenetic factors that influence cell division

Question 7

Neuroleptic

Answer 7

A term frequently used to describe antipsychotic drugs, referring to the tendency of these drugs to produce a behavioral syndrome of apathy, sedation, decreased initiative, and decreased responsiveness (SYN: antipsychotic)

Question 8

Psychosis

Answer 8

A relatively severe form of mental illness characterized by marked thought disturbances and an impaired perception of reality

Question 9

Tardive Dyskinesia

Answer 9

A movement disorder characterized by involuntary, fragmented movements of the mouth, face, and jaw (i.e. chewing, sucking, tongue protrusion, etc). This disorder may occur during the prolonged administration of antipsychotic drugs

Question 10

Epilepsy

Answer 10

A chronic neurological disoder characterized by recurrent seizures that are manifested as fried periods of altered consciousness, involuntary motor activity, or vivid sensory phenomena

Question 11

Anticholinergics

Answer 11

Drugs that decrease activity at acetylcholine synapses. These agents are often used to diminish activity in the parasympathetic nervous system

Question 12

Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT)

Answer 12

An enzyme that degrades levodopa to an inactive metabolite in the bloodstream and other tissues. Drugs that inhibit this enzyme are known as COMT inhibitors, and these drugs can protect levodopa so that it is not degraded prematurely in patients with PD

Question 13

Dopamine

Answer 13

A NT located in the CNS that is important in motor control and in certain aspects of behavior. The presence of endogenous or exogenous dopamine in the periphery also affects cardiovascular function

Question 14

Drug Holidays

Answer 14

Periods of several days to several weeks in which medications are withdrawn from the patient to allow recovery from drug tolerance or toxicity; sometimes used in patients with advanced cases of PD

Question 15

End-of-Dose Akinesia

Answer 15

A phenomenon in PD in which the effectiveness of the medication wears off toward the end of the dosing interval, resulting in a virtual lack of volitional movement from the patient

Question 16

PD

Answer 16

Clincial syndrome of bradykinesia, rigidity, resting tremor, and postural instability associated with NT abnormalities within the basal ganglia

Question 17

On-Off Phenomenon

Answer 17

The fluctuation in response seen in certain patients with PD in which the effectiveness of meds may suddenly diminish at some point between dosages

Question 18

Epidural Nerve Block

Answer 18

Administration of local anesthesia into the spinal canal between the bony vertebral column and the dura mater (i.e. the injection does not penetrate the spinal membranes but remains above the dura)

Question 19

Spinal Nerve Block

Answer 19

Administration of local anesthesia into the spinal canal between the arachnoid membrane and the pia mater (i.e. the subarachnoid space)

Question 20

Local Anesthesia

Answer 20

Loss of senstaion to a relatively small part of the body without loss of consciousness

Question 21

Amide

Answer 21

Type of chemical linkage found in some local anesthetics involving carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen

Question 22

Ester

Answer 22

Type of chemical linkage found in some local anesthetics involving carbon and oxygen