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Head, Neck And Neuro > CNS Pharamacology > Flashcards

CNS Pharamacology Flashcards

1
Q

Name some fast acting drugs on the CNS?

A

Anaesthetics
Nicotine
Cocaine

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2
Q

Name some slow acting drugs on the CNS.

A

Antidepressants
Antipsychotics
- several weeks before beneficial effects occur

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3
Q

What is the function of the blood brain barrier?

A

Maintain a constant environment
Protect the brain from foreign substances
Protect the brain from peripheral transmitters

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4
Q

Name an area of the brain located outside the BBB?

A

Area postrema - vomit reflex

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5
Q

Name some things that can damage the BBB.

A

Hypertension
Infection
Trauma

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6
Q

What can happen if the BBB is compromised?

A

Substance can enter the CNS and cause toxicity

- even prescribed drugs can become dangerous

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7
Q

Which drugs of the CNS are administered enterally and parenterally?

A 
Enteral - lipophylic drugs 
Parenteral - invasive routes (intrathecal) 
- meningitis antibiotics 
- opiate analgesics 
- regional anaesthetic (epidural)
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8
Q

Name some approaches that can be administered to aid drug entry to the CNS.

A

Prodrugs (L-DOPA)
Carrier molecules
Transient BBB disruption (mannitol)

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9
Q

Define anaesthetic agents

A

Drugs used to produce surgical anaesthesia

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10
Q

Give some examples of analgesic agents.

A

Halothane
Desflurane
Esflourane
Propofol

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11
Q

Define anxiolytics and sedatives

A

Drugs that cause sleep and reduce anxiety

Synonymous with - hypnotics, sedatives, minor tranquillisers

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12
Q

Give some examples of sedatives.

A

Barbiturates

Benzodiazepines

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13
Q

Define antipsychotic drugs.

A

Drugs that are effective in relieving the symptoms of schizophrenic illness (a.k.a. Neuroleptics, antischizophrenics, major tranquillisers)

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14
Q

Gives some examples of antipsychotics drugs.

A

Clozapine
Chlorpromazine
Haloperidol

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15
Q

Define anti-depressive drugs.

A

Drugs that alleviate the symptoms of depressive illness

Can also be known as thymoleptics

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16
Q

Give some examples of anti-depressive drugs.

A

Monoamine oxidase inhibitor (phenelzine)
Tricyclic antidepressants (imipramine)
SSRIs (fluoxetine)
Acute (ketamine)

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17
Q

Define analgesic drugs.

A

Drugs used clinically for the alleviation of pain (painkillers)

18
Q

Give some examples of some analgesics.

A

NSAIDs
Opiates
Carbamazepine

19
Q

Define psychomotor stimulants.

A

Drugs that cause wakefulness and euphoria (psychostimulants)

20
Q

Give some examples of psychomotor stimulants.

A

Methyphenidate (Ritalin)
Amphetamine (vyvanse)
Cocaine
Caffeine

21
Q

Define psychotomimetic drugs.

A

Drugs that cause disturbance of perception and of behaviour that can’t simply be characterised as sedative or stimulant effects.
Also known as hallucinogenic and psychodyspletics

22
Q

Give some examples of psychotomimetic drugs.

A

LSD
Marijuana
Mescaline
Phencyclidine

23
Q

Define cognition enhancer drugs.

A

Drugs that improve memory and cognitive performance

24
Q

Give some examples of cognition enhancer drugs.

A

Tacrine

Donepezil

25
Q

Name some CNS drugs that don’t fit into a specific category.

A

Anti-Parkinson drugs
Anti-epilepsy drugs
Drugs to treat addiction and dependence
Lithium

26
Q

List the neurological diseases that CNS drugs can be used to treat.

A 
Epilepsy 
Dementia
Pain
Movement disorders (PD, HD)
Pain (neuropathic)
Stroke
27
Q

List the psychiatric diseases that CNS drugs can be used to treat

A

Depression
Schizophrenia
Anxiety
Sleep disorders

28
Q

List some other diseases that CNS drugs can help to treat.

A

Motion sickness
Fever
General anaesthetic

29
Q

What is the function of dopamine in the nigrostriatal system, and what do disorders of it cause.

A

Motor control

Parkinson’s

30
Q

What is the function of dopamine in the mesolimbic/cortical system, and what do disorders of it cause.

A

Behavioural effects

Schizophrenia

31
Q

What is the function of dopamine in the tuberohypopyseal system, and what do disorders of it cause.

A

Suppresses prolactin release

Galactorrhea

32
Q

What is the function of dopamine in the medulla, and what do disorders of it cause.

A

Vomit response

Vomiting

33
Q

What are the main three characteristics of Parkinson’s disease?

A

Rigidity
Tremor
Bradykinesia

34
Q

What are the possible causes of degeneration of the nigrostriatal system/Parkinson’s disease?

A

Genetics - Parkin and other risk genes
Age, can accompany dementia
Infection, ischaemia
Environmental risk factors - toxins, herbicides, pesticides

35
Q

What therapies are used in Parkinson’s?

A

Therapies that enhance dopaminergic signalling in the pathway

  • replace dopamine (L-DOPA)
  • mimic the action of dopamine (D2/3 agonists - bromocriptine)
  • reduce breakdown of dopamine (MAOIs - selegiline)
  • increase dopamine release from remaining fibres (amantadine)
36
Q

What are the positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia?

A

Positive - delusions, hallucinations, thought disorders

Negative - social withdrawal, emotional flattening, reduced drive, poverty of speech, inability to feel pleasure

37
Q

Describe the pathophysiology of schizophrenia briefly.

A

Environmental and genetic factors leading to abnormalities of the cerebral cortex
Alterations in various neurotransmitter systems (dopamine, 5HT, glutamate, GABA)

38
Q

What is the dopamine theory?

A

Development of psychotic symptoms can be associated with abnormalities in the mesocortical/limbic pathways
Drugs which deplete dopamine have an antipsychotic action
Drugs which release dopamine generate psychotic symptoms
- needs to be a balance

39
Q

What are the possible treatment options for schizophrenia?

A

All antipsychotics are currently D2 receptor blockers

  • typical (old) drugs - chlorpromazine and haloperidol
  • atypical (newer) drugs - clozapine and asenapine
40
Q

What are the possible side effects of Parkinson’s treatment?

A 
Schizophrenia symptoms (too much dopamine in mesolimbic)
Nausea - caused by peripheral breakdown of dopamine 
Dopamine dysregulation syndrome - self control problems
41
Q

What are the possible side effects of Schizophrenic treatment?

A

Parkinson effects (not enough dopamine in the nigrostriatal)
Sedative effect
Prolactin secretion (not enough dopamine in the tuberohypopyseal)
- breast swelling and galactorrhoea

Head, Neck And Neuro (19 decks)

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