CNS- Abused Drugs

Question 1

name the 5 classes of abused drugs

Answer 1

1. sedatives
2. opiods
3. stimulants
4. hallucinogens
5. cannabinoids

Question 2

How does tolerance develop in a behavioural, functional and metabolic views?

Answer 2

behavioural: compensate for drug effect
functional: changes in drug action ^ or ˘ in receptor #
metabolic: ^ drug metabolism

Question 3

how does dependence develop in a psychological and physiological view?

Answer 3

psychological: drug seeking behaviour
physiological: withdrawal

Question 4

what is the higher user (gender/age) of drug abusers?

Answer 4

males under 25

Question 5

what are the 3 therapeutic steps to drug abuse?

Answer 5

1. treat acute overdose
2. manage withdrawal symptoms
3. long-term rehabilitation

Question 6

what does a sedative do?

Answer 6

they enhance GABA response, and cause an alternating sedative and stimulant.

Question 7

what are 3 examples of stimulants?

Answer 7

ethanol
barbiturates
benzodiazapines

Question 8

what drug can be used to help with sedative withdrawal?

Answer 8

clonidine- helps autonomic symptoms

Question 9

what drug can be used to treat ethanol withdrawal?

Answer 9

benzodiazepines

Question 10

describe the metabolic tolerance to ethanol?

Answer 10

MEOS convert ethanol to acetaldehyde at high [ethanol], -the enzymes system induced in chronic alcholoism, therefore the more use, causes an ˆ ethanol metabolism

Question 11

name two examples of opioids and what the users seek for?

Answer 11

morphine and heroin.

users seeking initial rush followed by euphoria, tranquility and sleepiness.

Question 12

what is the mechanism of action of opioids?

Answer 12

opioid receptor (mu)- linked to G-protein

presynaptic: ˘Ca2+ -> ˘ neurotransmitters
postsynaptic: ˆ K+ efflux -> inhibition of postsynaptic neurons

Question 13

describe the effects of heroin

Answer 13

effects last 3-5 hours,

many formulations that vary in potency so theres an ˆ risk of overdose.

Question 14

what are the routes of administration of heroin?

Answer 14

inhalation
sub-cutaneous inhection
IV

Question 15

what are the symptoms of heron toxicity?

Answer 15

respiratory depression, coma, death,

Question 16

what is the opioid receptor antagonist for heroin

Answer 16

naloxone

Question 17

what are two main drugs used for the detoxificaiton of heroin?

Answer 17

methadone- longer-acting opiord receptor angonist

clonidine- autonomic symptom withdrawal

Question 18

name some examples of stimulants and what do they do for their users?

Answer 18

amphetamine and analogs, cocaine

**HIGHLY ADDICITIVE and ˆ alertness and euphoria

Question 19

what are the main routes of administration for these stimulants?

Answer 19

inhalation, IV, oral

Question 20

what is the mechanism of action of stimulants?

Answer 20

ˆ release (amphetamines) or ˇ reuptake (cocaine) of NE, dopamine, and serotonin

Question 21

what are the adverse effects of stimulants?

Answer 21

psychosis, and delusions, excess sympathomimetic activity

Question 22

what are the results of a cocaine overdose, since an amphetamine overdose is less fetal.

Answer 22

intracranial hemorrhage, stroke, seizure, arrhythmias, heart attack, coma, death

Question 23

name two examples of hallucinogens, and describe what they are (agonist/ antagonist).

Answer 23

LSD: agonist at 5-HT receptors (~5-HT2a)
PCP: NMDA receptor antagonist

Question 24

what are the desired effects of hallucinogens?

Answer 24

visual illusions and perceptual distortion

Question 25

what are the adverse effects of hallucinogens

Answer 25

panic reactions, psychosis, flash-backs
LSD_ causes strong uterine contractions
PCP- overdose can be fatal

Question 26

what is the mechanism of action for cananabinoids

Answer 26

cannabinoid receptor (CB1- CNS, and CB2- PNS)- both linked to g-protein which inhibits either GABA, or glutamate release

Question 27

what are the effects of cannabinoids on the system?

Answer 27

initiak: euphoria, laugter, altered sense of time
secondary: relaxation, introspection, sleepiness

also -> impaired cognition, perception, reaction time, learning and memory & can -> paranoia, anxiety, hallucinations

Question 28

what are some therapeutic uses of cannabinoids?

Answer 28

cancer: ˇ pain & vomiting, ˆweight
Glaucoma: ˇ intraocular pressure
AIDS: appetite stimulation.