CNS Flashcards
neurotransmitter that causes whole brain arousal, stimulates appetite, and is the neurotransmitter in reinforcement pathways.
Norepinephrine
The most basic neurotransmitter involved in primitive functions that affects biologic drives like sex and anger/rage, coordinates movement, and is also the primary neurotransmitter involved in emotion and reinforcement pathways. There are at least 5 different receptors for this neurotransmitter that, when stimulated, elicit different effects.
Dopamine
The most ubiquitous neurotransmitter in the body that assists with all parasympathetic nerves. In the brain, it plays a major role in attention, learning, and memory. Alzheimer’s disease is a result of degeneration of these neurons.
Acetylcholine (Ach)
neurotransmitter is involved with sleep/wake cycles, mood, chronic pain, and hunger. There are more than 20 different receptors for this one
Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine or 5-HTseries)
neurotransmitter that inhibits transmission from one nerve to the next in the CNS
Gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA)
Anxiety, panic, anorexia, excitability, insomnia
Norepinephrine
too much __________= Psychoses, Tourette’s Syndrome
Dopamine
too much _________= Delirium/confusion
Acetylcholine (Ach)
too much ___________= Sleep-hallucinations
Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine or 5-HTseries)
too much ___________= CNS depression, Respiratory depression, Sedation
Gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA)
too little ____________=Depression, ADD, or ADHD
Norepinephrine
too little ____________=Parkinson’s Disease, ADD, or ADHD
Dopamine
too little ____________=Alzheimer’s
Acetylcholine (Ach)
too little ____________=Depression-OCD, Increased pain sensitivity, Anxiety
Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine or 5-HTseries)
too little ____________=Seizures
Gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA)
Drugs that affect ___________:
SNRIs, Tricyclic Anti-depressants, MAOIs
Norepinephrine
Drugs that affect ___________:
Antipsychotics
Dopamine
Drugs that affect ___________:
ACHEIs
Acetylcholine (Ach)
Drugs that affect ___________:
SSRIs, SNRIs, Atypicals, TCAs, MAOIs
Serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine or 5-HTseries)
Drugs that affect ___________:
Benzodiazepines, Sedatives, Hypnotics
Gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA)
an activating neurotransmitter associated with learning, thought, and emotion
Glutamate
neurotransmitter that provides relief from pain and promotes feelings of pleasure/well-being.
Endorphins
GAD is treated with:
Benzodiazepines, SSRI, Buspirone, psychotherapy
Acute (Situational) Anxiety is treated with:
Benzodiazepines, antihistamines
Panic Disorder (PD) is treated with:
Benzodiazepines, SSRI
Medications for \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_: Paroxetine (Paxil) duloxetine (Cymbalta) escitalopram (Lexapro) venlafaxine (Effexor)
GAD
Medications for ________:
Hydroxyzine (Atarax, Vistaril)
Propranolol (Inderal®)
Atenolol (Tenormin®)
Acute (Situational) Anxiety
Medications for \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_: Fluoxetine (Prozac) Paroxetine (Paxil) Sertaline (Zoloft) Venlafaxine (Effexor)
Panic Disorder (PD)
MOA of ____________:
act by boosting the effect of the neurotransmitter GABA which results in a fast onset of sedation and anxiolytic effect / also work as an anti-convulsant and muscle relaxant
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazeines treat anxiety and ____________
seizure disorders
Benzodiazepines are Schedule ___ drugs
IV
Benzodiazepines have low potential for abuse when used ___________
short-term
The combination of ________ and benzodiazepines can lead to severe respiratory depression and death!!!!
opioids
routine daily use of Benzodiazepines may lead to _______________ and is highly discouraged
physical dependence
As a cautious prescriber, even if you state the patient could take Benzodiazepines up to _____ PRN severe anxiety, prescribe no more than ___ tablets with no refills
TID; 30
a patient who has chronically used benzodiazepines, abrupt discontinuation can cause _________; therefore, discontinuation should be gradually tapered over many weeks.
seizures
benzodiazepines are often used for immediate relief from an acute anxiety attack until a safer anxiolytic agent (______ or ________) can take effect and/or resolve insomnia
SSRI/SNRI or Buspirone
benzodiazepines with ________ onset of action are associated with the highest potential for abuse.
fastest
Benzodiazepines are metabolized in the ______
liver
Caution with ___________ food and drugs with benzodiazepines
CYP450
In the CNS, this drug causes: Sedation Decreased anxiety Muscle relaxation Anti-convulsant action
Benzodiazepines
benzodiazepine with a fairly long half-life that effectively treats spasms and decreases seizure activity
Diazepam (Valium)
benzodiazepine with a moderate half-life that acts immediately to resolve symptoms– so it is the most addictive
Alprazolam (Xanax)
benzodiazepine with slower onset and shorter half-life commonly used for anxiety
Lorazepam (Ativan)
Commonly treated with \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD) Panic attacks Social anxiety
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI)
For patient with severe anxiety, Rx __-week course of an intermediate-acting benzodiazepine PRN Q 8 hrs. to provide relief until an SSRI/SNRI can take effect.
2
Safety Concerns for ___________:
not for long term treatment of anxiety (up to a year)
Levels may be increased by grapefruit juice, erythromycin and ketoconazole
Buspirone (BuSpar)
SE of \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_: dizziness nausea headache drowsiness
Buspirone (BuSpar)
anxiety drug that is not habituating and does not have the side effect profile or abuse potential of the benzodiazepines since it is not a CNS depressant
Buspirone (BuSpar)
buspirone (Buspar) has a high affinity for _________ receptors and a lesser affinity for __________ receptors
serotonin; dopamine
efficacy of this drug is mixed and often the SSRIs that are indicated for anxiety offer better coverage for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
Buspirone (BuSpar)
strong antihistamine used for anxiety that will cause side effects consistent with antihistamines but in patients with severe anxiety can offer some relief of anxiety
Hydroxyzine (Atarax, Vistaril)
if the client has performance anxiety (stage fright), consider using a ___________ 1 hour before event to relieve the catecholamine-mediated autonomic symptoms without sedation
beta-blocker (Propanolol)
Ideally, insomnia medications should be given for a ________ duration
short
All __________ are indicated for short-term use–10 days maximum. These drugs can cause dependence. Rapid dose decreases of discontinuation can cause withdrawal symptoms.
Benzodiazepines
EX of __________:
estazolam (ProSom)
flurazepam (Dalmane)
temazepam (Restoril)
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are not reccommended for the ___________ due to risk of:
falls
fractures
impairment
elderly
____________ Drugs:
Eszopiclone (Lunesta)
zaleplon (Sonata)
zolpidem (Ambien, Ambien CR and Intermezzo).
Non-Benzodiazepine (“Benzodiazepine-Like”)
___________ is the only Non-Benzodiazepine (“Benzodiazepine-Like”) drug recommended for long-term use (all others are reccomended for max of 35 days)
Eszopiclone (Lunesta)
__________ drug:
Ramelton (Rozerem)
Melatonin Agonist
OTC 3 or 6 mg. No potential for addiction or tolerance and is inexpensive. It should not be taken with ramelteon (Rozerem).
Melatonin Herb
Antidepressants frequently used in treating insomnia in the elderly due to reassuring safety profiles.
Mirtazapine (Remeron)
Trazodone (Desyrel)