CNS neuropharmacology - french Flashcards
For a neuron to receive information what are the possible axonic connections?
- Axodendritic
- Axosomatic
- axoaxonic
What are hierarchical systems in the brain?
- Clearly delineated pathways that are directly involved in motor control and sensory perception
- Large myelinated neurons with rapid conduction velocity
- Sensory information is processed sequentially and is integrated successively at relay nuclei on the way to the cortex
- Any leasion at any link disrupts the whole pathway
- Relay neurons and local circuit neurons are present in each nuclei
What are local circuit neurons?
- Smaller and branch in immediate vicinity of cell body, synapsing primarily on cell bodies of relay neurons
- Can act as feed-forward and recurrent feedback pathway mechanisms
- Spinal cord - special class forms axoaxonic synapses on terminals of sensory relay neurons
- Most are inhibitory releasing GABA (some glycine)
What are relay neurons?
- Form interconnecting pathways that transmit signals over long distances
- Cell bodies are large and axons project over long distances
- Smaller collaterals that synapse on local interneurons are present as well
- Neurons are excitatory, releasing glutamate and activating ionotropic receptors
What is the main function of the diffuse systems?
- Modulate the functions of the hierarchical systems
- NT in diffuse neuronal systems including ach, dopamine (da), norepinephrine (ne), serotonin (5ht) are produced in neurons whose cell bodies lie in small discrete nuclei, most often in the brainstem
- Despite limited cell number, these nuclei project widely and diffusely throughout brain and spinal cord
- The axons here are divergent enough to innervate functionally distinct parts of the CNS
What is important about the monamine diffuse systems?
- Cannot convey topographically specific information
- CAN affect vast CNS areas simultaneously subserving global functions
- Attention, sleep-wake cycle, appetite, emotions
What are the six key neurotransmitter systems that are targeted by psychopharmacologic agents?
- GABA
- Glu
- Ach
- Da
- Ne
- 5-HT (serotonin)
What should go through your mind as you use symptoms and circuits as a guide to pick a neuro pharm agent?
- Match disease symptoms to hypothetically malfunctioning circuit
- Consider neurotransmitter systems that theoretically regulate each circuit
- Select treatment to target the relevant neurotransmitter system
What are the two broad categories of the rational approach to selecting a neuro-psychopharmacologic agent?
- Using symptoms and circuits
* Specific behaviors hypothetically linked to brain regions
What behaviors are linked to the PFC?
- PFC = pre frontal cortex
- Executive function
- Attention
- Concentration
- Emotions
- Impulses
- Obsessions
- Compulsions
- Motor
- Fatigue
- Ruminations
- Worry
- Pain
- Negative symptoms
- Guilt
- Suicidality
What behaviors are linked to the NA?
- NA = nucleus accumbens
- Delusions
- Hallucinations
- Pleasure
- Interests
- Libido
- Fatigue
- Euphoria
- Reward
- Motivation
What behaviors are linked to the S?
- S = striatum
- Motor
- Critical relay site from PFC
What behaviors are linked to the thalamus?
- T = Thalamus
- Pain
- Sensory relay TO cortex
- Sensory relay FROM cortex
- alertness
What behaviors are linked to the BF?
- BF = basal forebrain
- Memory
- Alertness
What region of the CNS is pain associated with?
• Spinal cord and brain stem
What part of the brain are memory and reexperiencing linked to?
• H = hippocampus
What behaviors are linked to the C?
- C = cerebellum
* Motor coordination
What behaviors are linked to the Hy?
- Hy = hypothalamus
- Sleep
- Appetite
- Endocrine
What does GABA stand for?
• Gamma-aminobutyric acid
How is GABA synthesized?
- Synthesis is intertwined with the synthesis of glutamate (which is major excitatory transmitter)
- Via the GABA shunt
- GAD = glutamic acid decarboxylase, the enzyme that makes GABA from glutamate
What do the receptors for GABA do?
• GABA-a
○ Opens ligand-gated Cl channel, decreases neuronal excitability
• GABA-b
○ GPCR, inhibits adenylyl cyclase, decrease Ca conductance, open K channel (hyperpolarizes)
What does vigabatrin have to do with GABA?
- Inhibits degradation by GABA-T
- T = transaminase
- Works in the glial cells mostly
How does Tiagabine interact with GABA?
• Inhibits reuptake of GABA by transporter
What do benzodiazepines do in relation to GABA?
• bind to GABA-a receptor to facilitate GABA inhibitory action