Clinical implications of synaptic transmission disorders

Question 1

What is myasthenia gravis?

Answer 1

Autoimmune disorder, loss of function of ACh receptors on skeletal muscles 
Fluctuating muscle weakness and fatigue
Worsens with activity
Improves with rest
Neuromuscular disease

Question 2

What are the symptoms of myasthenia gravis?

Answer 2

Difficulties with chewing, talking, breathing or swallowing
Difficulties with simple locomotion (climbing the stairs, walking)
Facial paralysis or weakness of facial muscles
Double vision, difficulty maintaining a steady gaze

Question 3

Examples of synapses as drug targets in Pharmacology and therapeutics

Answer 3

Acute adrenaline injection
Anti-histamine
Adrenergic beta blockers

Question 4

What is Acute adrenaline injection?

Answer 4

Mimics activation of sympathetic nervous system
Cardiac arrest (stimulates cardiac muscle)
Anaphylactic shock (allergy, insect bites)- stimulates bronchodilation

Question 5

What is anti-histamine?

Answer 5

Histamines released from peripheral nerves after tissue damage or immune challenge
Causes inflammatory response and oedema
Blocked by anti-histamines

Question 6

What are Adrenergic beta blockers?

Answer 6

Used to treat hypertension, congestive heart failure and anxiety

Question 7

Examples of synapses as drug targets in the brain

Answer 7

Systematic anaesthetics

Affective disorders

Question 8

What are systematic anaesthetics?

Answer 8

GABA receptor agonists, loss of consciousness

Question 9

What are affective disorders?

Answer 9

Depression, anxiety

Target neurotransmitter receptors such as dopamine